CVE-2023-44207 in Cyber Protect
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in protection plan name. The following products are affected: Acronis Cyber Protect 15 (Linux, Windows) before build 35979.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2023
The stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-44207 resides within Acronis Cyber Protect 15 versions prior to build 35979 across both Linux and Windows platforms. This flaw specifically affects the protection plan name field, representing a critical security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application's user interface. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application layer that processes user-supplied data for protection plan configurations. When administrators or users create or modify protection plans, the system fails to properly sanitize the name parameter before storing and subsequently rendering it in web pages, creating an environment where malicious payloads can persist and execute in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the typical stored XSS attack pattern where an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing JavaScript code within the protection plan name field. Upon successful submission of this crafted input, the malicious script gets stored within the application's database or configuration files. When other legitimate users navigate to pages displaying the protection plan names, the stored script executes in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the victim. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which classifies the weakness as a common web application security flaw. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects administrative functions within a backup and security solution, potentially providing attackers with access to sensitive system configurations and data protection policies.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges within the application context and potentially access sensitive system information. In environments where Acronis Cyber Protect is used for enterprise backup and recovery operations, this vulnerability could compromise the integrity of backup configurations and expose critical system information. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload remains active even after the initial injection, continuously affecting any user who encounters the compromised protection plan names. This persistent threat requires immediate remediation as it can be exploited by attackers with minimal privileges to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, where attackers might use the XSS to deliver additional malicious payloads or establish persistence within the environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-44207 should prioritize immediate application of the vendor-provided security patch or update to build 35979 and later versions. Organizations should implement input validation controls that sanitize all user-supplied data before storage, particularly for fields that are rendered in web interfaces. The implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide additional protection layers by restricting script execution within the application. Regular security scanning and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the Acronis suite. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit potential exploitation paths, while user education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying protection plan names and configurations. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious script execution patterns can provide early detection capabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly in security tools where the attack surface can directly impact system integrity and data protection mechanisms.