CVE-2024-25697 in Portal for ArcGIS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/04/2024
There is a Cross-site Scripting vulnerability in Portal for ArcGIS in versions <=11.1 that may allow a remote, authenticated attacker to create a crafted link which when opening an authenticated users bio page will render an image in the victims browser. The privileges required to execute this attack are low.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2025
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists within Esri's Portal for ArcGIS platform affecting versions 11.1 and earlier. The flaw allows a remote attacker with minimal privileges to craft malicious links that can execute arbitrary script code when victims view authenticated users' bio pages. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the portal's user profile handling functionality. Attackers can exploit this weakness by creating specially crafted URLs that, when clicked by an authenticated user, trigger script execution in the victim's browser context. This represents a significant security risk as it requires only low privileges to initiate the attack vector, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have access to the portal system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws in web applications. The vulnerability operates by bypassing the application's security controls that should prevent malicious content from being rendered in user contexts. When an authenticated user navigates to a bio page containing the crafted link, the browser executes the embedded malicious script code, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions, or redirect users to malicious websites. The attack requires no special privileges beyond basic authentication access to the portal, making it accessible to anyone with legitimate user credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable more sophisticated attacks within the portal environment. An attacker could potentially leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, access sensitive data, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The risk is particularly elevated in enterprise environments where portal users may have access to sensitive geographic information systems and mapping data. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the user session and can compromise the confidentiality of information shared within the portal. Additionally, the attack can be automated through social engineering techniques, where attackers send malicious links to specific users or groups, increasing the potential for widespread compromise.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding controls throughout the portal application. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Portal for ArcGIS version 11.2 or later, which contains patches addressing this vulnerability. Security controls should include implementing strict content security policies, sanitizing all user-generated content before rendering, and employing proper encoding mechanisms when displaying user data in web contexts. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests, while security teams should monitor for potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in the portal infrastructure and ensure that all security controls remain effective against evolving attack techniques.