CVE-2023-6366 in WhatsUp Gold
Summary
by MITRE • 12/14/2023
In WhatsUp Gold versions released before 2023.1, a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability has been identified. It is possible for an attacker to craft a XSS payload and store that value within Alert Center.
If a WhatsUp Gold user interacts with the crafted payload, the attacker would be able to execute malicious JavaScript within the context of the victims browser.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2023
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2023-6366 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within WhatsUp Gold network monitoring software. This vulnerability affects all versions released prior to the 2023.1 release, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by malicious actors who gain access to the Alert Center functionality. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that remains stored within the application's database or storage mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over time. The vulnerability resides in the input validation and output encoding processes within the Alert Center component, where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users.
The technical execution of this vulnerability follows a classic stored XSS attack pattern where an attacker crafts a malicious payload and submits it through the Alert Center interface. This payload is then stored in the application's backend systems and subsequently delivered to unsuspecting users when they interact with the affected data. The malicious JavaScript executes within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially allowing attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or perform unauthorized actions on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability specifically targets the application's failure to implement proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms, which are fundamental security controls required to prevent XSS attacks. According to CWE-79, this represents a classic cross-site scripting weakness where the application fails to properly escape or validate user-controllable data before rendering it in the browser.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-6366 extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks within the network monitoring environment. Network administrators who use WhatsUp Gold for critical infrastructure monitoring become particularly vulnerable, as attackers could exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to network monitoring data, potentially compromising the integrity of network security operations. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that even after the initial attack, the malicious code continues to execute whenever affected users view the compromised data, creating a continuous threat vector. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can be leveraged to escalate privileges within the monitoring environment, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate alerts, modify monitoring configurations, or access sensitive network information. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that network monitoring tools typically have elevated privileges and access to critical infrastructure data, making them attractive targets for advanced persistent threat actors.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to WhatsUp Gold version 2023.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, network administrators should review and strengthen input validation mechanisms within the application, implement proper output encoding for all user-controllable data, and conduct thorough security assessments of the monitoring environment. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for social engineering and T1059.007 for scripting, as attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious scripts and manipulate user interactions. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous data injection patterns within the Alert Center functionality, and regular security training should be provided to personnel who interact with network monitoring tools to recognize potential social engineering attempts that might exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing to ensure that all user inputs are properly validated and that output encoding is consistently applied across all application components that handle user data.