CVE-2025-0193 in MGate 5121
Summary
by MITRE • 01/15/2025
A stored Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability exists in the MGate 5121/5122/5123 Series firmware version v1.0 because of insufficient sanitization and encoding of user input in the "Login Message" functionality. An authenticated attacker with administrative access can exploit this vulnerability to inject malicious scripts that are continuously stored on the device. These scripts are executed when other users access the login page, potentially resulting in unauthorized actions or other impacts, depending on the user's privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-0193 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within the MGate 5121/5122/5123 Series firmware version v1.0. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms specifically within the Login Message functionality of the network security device. The flaw allows an attacker with administrative privileges to inject malicious scripts that persistently remain stored on the device, creating a continuous threat vector that can compromise multiple users over time. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, particularly focusing on script injection methods that can persist across user sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated attacker with administrative access to the device, which significantly reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk entirely. Once authenticated, the attacker can leverage the insufficient sanitization to inject malicious JavaScript code into the Login Message field, which is then stored in the device's memory. This stored script executes every time other users access the login page, creating a persistent threat that can escalate beyond simple script execution. The continuous nature of the stored payload means that any user who accesses the login page becomes a potential victim, regardless of their privilege level or session duration. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can enable session hijacking, privilege escalation, and other malicious activities that exploit the trust relationship between the device and its users.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe and multifaceted, particularly for organizations relying on MGate devices for network security. The persistent nature of stored XSS attacks means that the threat remains active even after the initial exploitation, creating ongoing risks for all users who interact with the device's login interface. When combined with the administrative access requirement, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations where privileged accounts are compromised, as the attacker can maintain persistent access and execute malicious code across multiple user sessions. The impact varies based on the user's privileges, potentially enabling unauthorized actions that could compromise network integrity, confidentiality, and availability. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues if such vulnerabilities are exploited, as they represent a failure to maintain secure system configurations and proper input validation practices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-0193 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from the vendor to address the root cause of the insufficient sanitization and encoding. Network administrators should implement strict input validation controls that sanitize all user inputs before storage, particularly for fields that are displayed to users. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper output encoding mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection against script execution. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and monitoring to detect unusual activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network devices and applications. The remediation process should include comprehensive user access reviews to ensure that administrative privileges are properly managed and that the principle of least privilege is maintained. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional monitoring capabilities to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures that specifically address stored XSS vulnerabilities, ensuring rapid identification and remediation of similar threats across their network infrastructure.