Vulnerabilities > CVE-2014-3797 - Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability in VMWare Vcenter Server Appliance 5.1

047910
CVSS 4.3 - MEDIUM
Attack vector
NETWORK
Attack complexity
MEDIUM
Privileges required
NONE
Confidentiality impact
NONE
Integrity impact
PARTIAL
Availability impact
NONE
network
vmware
CWE-79
nessus
NVD
Published: 2014-12-08
Updated: 2018-10-09

Summary

Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in VMware vCenter Server Appliance (vCSA) 5.1 before Update 3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.

Vulnerable Configurations

Part Description Count
Application
Vmware
3

Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE)

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

  • Cross Site Scripting through Log Files
    An attacker may leverage a system weakness where logs are susceptible to log injection to insert scripts into the system's logs. If these logs are later viewed by an administrator through a thin administrative interface and the log data is not properly HTML encoded before being written to the page, the attackers' scripts stored in the log will be executed in the administrative interface with potentially serious consequences. This attack pattern is really a combination of two other attack patterns: log injection and stored cross site scripting.
  • Embedding Scripts in Non-Script Elements
    This attack is a form of Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) where malicious scripts are embedded in elements that are not expected to host scripts such as image tags (<img>), comments in XML documents (< !-CDATA->), etc. These tags may not be subject to the same input validation, output validation, and other content filtering and checking routines, so this can create an opportunity for an attacker to tunnel through the application's elements and launch a XSS attack through other elements. As with all remote attacks, it is important to differentiate the ability to launch an attack (such as probing an internal network for unpatched servers) and the ability of the remote attacker to collect and interpret the output of said attack.
  • Embedding Scripts within Scripts
    An attack of this type exploits a programs' vulnerabilities that are brought on by allowing remote hosts to execute scripts. The attacker leverages this capability to execute scripts to execute his/her own script by embedding it within other scripts that the target software is likely to execute. The attacker must have the ability to inject script into script that is likely to be executed. If this is done, then the attacker can potentially launch a variety of probes and attacks against the web server's local environment, in many cases the so-called DMZ, back end resources the web server can communicate with, and other hosts. With the proliferation of intermediaries, such as Web App Firewalls, network devices, and even printers having JVMs and Web servers, there are many locales where an attacker can inject malicious scripts. Since this attack pattern defines scripts within scripts, there are likely privileges to execute said attack on the host. Of course, these attacks are not solely limited to the server side, client side scripts like Ajax and client side JavaScript can contain malicious scripts as well. In general all that is required is for there to be sufficient privileges to execute a script, but not protected against writing.
  • Cross-Site Scripting in Error Pages
    An attacker distributes a link (or possibly some other query structure) with a request to a third party web server that is malformed and also contains a block of exploit code in order to have the exploit become live code in the resulting error page. When the third party web server receives the crafted request and notes the error it then creates an error message that echoes the malformed message, including the exploit. Doing this converts the exploit portion of the message into to valid language elements that are executed by the viewing browser. When a victim executes the query provided by the attacker the infected error message error message is returned including the exploit code which then runs in the victim's browser. XSS can result in execution of code as well as data leakage (e.g. session cookies can be sent to the attacker). This type of attack is especially dangerous since the exploit appears to come from the third party web server, who the victim may trust and hence be more vulnerable to deception.
  • Cross-Site Scripting Using Alternate Syntax
    The attacker uses alternate forms of keywords or commands that result in the same action as the primary form but which may not be caught by filters. For example, many keywords are processed in a case insensitive manner. If the site's web filtering algorithm does not convert all tags into a consistent case before the comparison with forbidden keywords it is possible to bypass filters (e.g., incomplete black lists) by using an alternate case structure. For example, the "script" tag using the alternate forms of "Script" or "ScRiPt" may bypass filters where "script" is the only form tested. Other variants using different syntax representations are also possible as well as using pollution meta-characters or entities that are eventually ignored by the rendering engine. The attack can result in the execution of otherwise prohibited functionality.

Nessus

  • NASL familyMisc.
    NASL idVMWARE_VCENTER_SERVER_APPLIANCE_VMSA-2014-0012.NASL
    descriptionThe version of VMware vCenter Server Appliance installed on the remote host is 5.1 prior to Update 3. It is, therefore, affected by an unspecified cross-site scripting vulnerability. A remote attacker can exploit this by means of a specially crafted URL or malicious web page, which can result in the execution of arbitrary script code.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id79863
    published2014-12-12
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2014-2019 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/79863
    titleVMware vCenter Server Appliance Unspecified XSS (VMSA-2014-0012)
    code
    #
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(79863);
  script_version("1.9");
  script_cvs_date("Date: 2019/09/26 15:14:18");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2014-3797");
  script_bugtraq_id(71492);
  script_xref(name:"VMSA", value:"2014-0012");

  script_name(english:"VMware vCenter Server Appliance Unspecified XSS (VMSA-2014-0012)");
  script_summary(english:"Checks the version of VMware vCenter Server Appliance.");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
"The remote host has a virtualization appliance installed that is
affected by a cross-site scripting vulnerability.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"description", value:
"The version of VMware vCenter Server Appliance installed on the remote
host is 5.1 prior to Update 3. It is, therefore, affected by an
unspecified cross-site scripting vulnerability. A remote attacker can
exploit this by means of a specially crafted URL or malicious web
page, which can result in the execution of arbitrary script code.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://www.vmware.com/security/advisories/VMSA-2014-0012.html");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:"Upgrade to VMware vCenter Server Appliance 5.1 Update 3 or later.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:U/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"No known exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"false");
  script_cwe_id(20, 74, 79, 442, 629, 711, 712, 722, 725, 750, 751, 800, 801, 809, 811, 864, 900, 928, 931, 990);

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2014/12/04");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2014/12/04");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2014/12/12");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:vmware:vcenter_server_appliance");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_family(english:"Misc.");

  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2014-2019 Tenable Network Security, Inc.");

  script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
  script_require_keys("Host/VMware vCenter Server Appliance/Version", "Host/VMware vCenter Server Appliance/Build");
  script_require_ports("Services/ssh", 22);

  exit(0);
}

include("audit.inc");
include("global_settings.inc");
include("misc_func.inc");

version = get_kb_item_or_exit("Host/VMware vCenter Server Appliance/Version");
build   = get_kb_item_or_exit("Host/VMware vCenter Server Appliance/Build");

if (version != "5.1.0")
  audit(AUDIT_NOT_INST, "VMware vCenter Server Appliance 5.1.x");

fixed_main_ver = "5.1.0";
fixed_build = 2308385;

if (int(build) < fixed_build)
{
  set_kb_item(name:"www/0/XSS", value:TRUE);

  if (report_verbosity > 0)
  {
    report =
      '\n  Installed version : ' + version + ' Build ' + build +
      '\n  Fixed version     : ' + fixed_main_ver + ' Build ' + fixed_build +
      '\n';
    security_warning(port:0, extra:report);
  }
  else security_warning(0);
  exit(0);
}
else audit(AUDIT_INST_VER_NOT_VULN, 'VMware vCenter Server Appliance', version + ' Build ' + build);
  • NASL familyVMware ESX Local Security Checks
    NASL idVMWARE_VMSA-2014-0012.NASL
    descriptiona. VMware vCSA cross-site scripting vulnerability VMware vCenter Server Appliance (vCSA) contains a vulnerability that may allow for Cross Site Scripting. Exploitation of this vulnerability in vCenter Server requires tricking a user to click on a malicious link or to open a malicious web page. VMware would like to thank Tanya Secker of Trustwave SpiderLabs for reporting this issue to us. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the name CVE-2014-3797 to this issue. b. vCenter Server certificate validation issue vCenter Server does not properly validate the presented certificate when establishing a connection to a CIM Server residing on an ESXi host. This may allow for a Man-in-the-middle attack against the CIM service. VMware would like to thank The Google Security Team for reporting this issue to us. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the identifier CVE-2014-8371 to this issue. c. Update to ESXi libxml2 package libxml2 is updated to address multiple security issues. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the names CVE-2013-2877 and CVE-2014-0191 to these issues. d. Update to ESXi Curl package Curl is updated to address multiple security issues. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the names CVE-2014-0015 and CVE-2014-0138 to these issues. e. Update to ESXi Python package Python is updated to address multiple security issues. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the names CVE-2013-1752 and CVE-2013-4238 to these issues. f. vCenter and Update Manager, Oracle JRE 1.6 Update 81 Oracle has documented the CVE identifiers that are addressed in JRE 1.6.0 update 81 in the Oracle Java SE Critical Patch Update Advisory of July 2014. The References section provides a link to this advisory.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id79762
    published2014-12-06
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2014-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/79762
    titleVMSA-2014-0012 : VMware vSphere product updates address security vulnerabilities
    code
    #
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#
# The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were  
# extracted from VMware Security Advisory 2014-0012. 
# The text itself is copyright (C) VMware Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(79762);
  script_version("1.11");
  script_cvs_date("Date: 2019/09/24 15:02:54");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2013-1752", "CVE-2013-2877", "CVE-2013-4238", "CVE-2014-0015", "CVE-2014-0138", "CVE-2014-0191", "CVE-2014-3797", "CVE-2014-8371");
  script_bugtraq_id(61050, 61738, 63804, 65270, 66457, 67233, 71492, 71493);
  script_xref(name:"VMSA", value:"2014-0012");

  script_name(english:"VMSA-2014-0012 : VMware vSphere product updates address security vulnerabilities");
  script_summary(english:"Checks esxupdate output for the patch");

  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"synopsis", 
    value:"The remote VMware ESXi host is missing a security-related patch."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"description", 
    value:
"a. VMware vCSA cross-site scripting vulnerability

   VMware vCenter Server Appliance (vCSA) contains a vulnerability
   that may allow for Cross Site Scripting. Exploitation of this 
   vulnerability in vCenter Server requires tricking a user to click
   on a malicious link or to open a malicious web page. 

   VMware would like to thank Tanya Secker of Trustwave SpiderLabs for 
   reporting this issue to us. 

   The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org) 
   has assigned the name CVE-2014-3797 to this issue. 

b. vCenter Server certificate validation issue

   vCenter Server does not properly validate the presented certificate 
   when establishing a connection to a CIM Server residing on an ESXi 
   host. This may allow for a Man-in-the-middle attack against the CIM 
   service.

   VMware would like to thank The Google Security Team for reporting 
   this issue to us.

   The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project (cve.mitre.org)
   has assigned the identifier CVE-2014-8371 to this issue. 

  c. Update to ESXi libxml2 package

  libxml2 is updated to address multiple security issues. 

  The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project 
  (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the names CVE-2013-2877 and
  CVE-2014-0191 to these issues. 

  d. Update to ESXi Curl package

  Curl is updated to address multiple security issues. 

  The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project 
  (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the names CVE-2014-0015 and 
  CVE-2014-0138 to these issues. 

  e. Update to ESXi Python package

  Python is updated to address multiple security issues. 

  The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures project 
  (cve.mitre.org) has assigned the names CVE-2013-1752 and 
  CVE-2013-4238 to these issues. 

  f. vCenter and Update Manager, Oracle JRE 1.6 Update 81

  Oracle has documented the CVE identifiers that are addressed in 
  JRE 1.6.0 update 81 in the Oracle Java SE Critical Patch Update
  Advisory of July 2014. The References section provides a link to
  this advisory."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"http://lists.vmware.com/pipermail/security-announce/2015/000287.html"
  );
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:"Apply the missing patch.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:N");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:U/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"No known exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"false");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:vmware:esxi:5.1");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2014/12/04");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2014/12/06");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2014-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");
  script_family(english:"VMware ESX Local Security Checks");

  script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
  script_require_keys("Host/local_checks_enabled", "Host/VMware/release", "Host/VMware/version");
  script_require_ports("Host/VMware/esxupdate", "Host/VMware/esxcli_software_vibs");

  exit(0);
}


include("audit.inc");
include("vmware_esx_packages.inc");


if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
if (!get_kb_item("Host/VMware/release")) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "VMware ESX / ESXi");
if (
  !get_kb_item("Host/VMware/esxcli_software_vibs") &&
  !get_kb_item("Host/VMware/esxupdate")
) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);


init_esx_check(date:"2014-12-04");
flag = 0;


if (esx_check(ver:"ESXi 5.1", vib:"VMware:esx-base:5.1.0-2.47.2323231")) flag++;


if (flag)
{
  if (report_verbosity > 0) security_warning(port:0, extra:esx_report_get());
  else security_warning(0);
  exit(0);
}
else audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, "affected");

References