CVE-2023-4932 in Integration Technologies
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2023
SAS application is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS). Improper input validation in the `_program` parameter of the the `/SASStoredProcess/do` endpoint allows arbitrary JavaScript to be executed when specially crafted URL is opened by an authenticated user. The attack is possible from a low-privileged user. Only versions 9.4_M7 and 9.4_M8 were tested and confirmed to be vulnerable, status of others is unknown. For above mentioned versions hot fixes were published.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4932 represents a critical reflected cross-site scripting flaw within the SAS application ecosystem that specifically impacts versions 9.4_M7 and 9.4_M8. This security weakness resides in the `/SASStoredProcess/do` endpoint where the `_program` parameter fails to properly validate incoming user input, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious JavaScript code execution. The flaw operates under the CWE-79 classification as a classic reflected XSS vulnerability where attacker-controlled data is immediately reflected back in the application's response without adequate sanitization or encoding mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a specially formatted URL containing malicious JavaScript code within the `_program` parameter and deliver it to an authenticated user who subsequently clicks the link. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be executed by low-privileged users, meaning that even users with minimal access rights can potentially compromise the security of the entire SAS environment. When the vulnerable endpoint processes the malicious input, the JavaScript code becomes embedded in the HTTP response and executes within the victim's browser context, potentially allowing for session hijacking, data theft, or further escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it fundamentally undermines the trust model of the SAS application by enabling unauthorized code execution in the context of authenticated users. This creates potential for data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and persistent access to sensitive information processed through the SAS platform. The vulnerability's confirmation only for specific versions indicates that either the issue was introduced in those particular releases or was subsequently fixed in later builds, suggesting a targeted regression or incomplete patching approach. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face significant risk exposure since authenticated users are required to click malicious links, but the low privilege requirement means that even basic user accounts can serve as attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate implementation of the published hot fixes for versions 9.4_M7 and 9.4_M8, while organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as input validation at the application level, output encoding of all user-supplied data, and comprehensive web application firewall rules that can detect and block suspicious parameter patterns. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript) and T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) as it represents a common attack pattern where social engineering facilitates the delivery of malicious payloads to authenticated users. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments to determine if other versions of the SAS platform may be affected and implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices in web applications, aligning with industry best practices established in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for preventing cross-site scripting attacks.