CVE-2021-31852 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in McAfee Policy Auditor versions prior to 6.5.2. This vulnerability allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the UID request parameter. The malicious script is reflected unmodified into the Policy Auditor web-based interface, which could lead to the extraction of end user session tokens or login credentials.
The severity level of this vulnerability is classified as medium, with a CVSS score of 6.1. This rating indicates that while exploitation may require some level of user interaction, the potential for damage remains significant, especially in environments where security-critical applications are accessed.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive information and potential exploitation of other security-critical applications. As such, organizations should prioritize patching immediately to safeguard their systems against this vulnerability.
Currently, there are no public exploits confirmed for this vulnerability, but the potential impact necessitates immediate attention from security teams.
Organizations are encouraged to monitor their systems for any suspicious activity related to this vulnerability and take appropriate measures to mitigate risks.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows for the potential injection of web scripts that can be executed in the context of the user’s browser session. The affected product is McAfee Policy Auditor, specifically versions prior to 6.5.2, which should be updated to address this issue.
The CVSS score of 6.1 indicates a medium severity, with attack complexity rated as low, and no privileges required for exploitation. User interaction is necessary, as the target must click on a crafted link to trigger the attack.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is inadequate validation of user input in the UID request parameter. This failure allows attackers to inject scripts, which are then reflected back to users without modification.
The attack vector is network-based, requiring the attacker to lure the victim into clicking a link that leads to the crafted request. The attack complexity is low, as it does not require advanced techniques to exploit. No privileges are needed, and user interaction is required.
This vulnerability impacts confidentiality and integrity, allowing attackers to potentially access sensitive user information or manipulate user sessions.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment risk includes exposure to session hijacking and unauthorized access to sensitive data. If exploited, attackers could leverage this vulnerability to conduct further attacks on security-critical applications.
The urgency to address this vulnerability is medium due to its impact on confidentiality and integrity. Organizations should prioritize remediation within their patch cycle to mitigate potential risks effectively.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
McAfee Policy Auditor versions prior to 6.5.2 are affected by this vulnerability. Organizations should ensure they update to the latest version to mitigate risks.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching McAfee Policy Auditor to version 6.5.2 or later. If immediate patching is not possible, consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests and monitor for suspicious activity.
For further guidance on effective security measures, organizations can refer to resources on penetration testing and application security assessments.
Detection Guidance
Security teams should monitor logs for unusual activity, particularly for requests that include the UID parameter. Behavioral anomalies in user sessions should also be flagged for review.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability highlights the ongoing challenges of web application security. Organizations must remain vigilant against XSS vulnerabilities, as they can lead to significant security breaches.
Security teams are encouraged to adopt proactive measures to identify and remediate potential vulnerabilities. Regularly scheduled penetration testing can help identify weaknesses before they are exploited.
Additionally, organizations should focus on security awareness training for employees to recognize potential phishing attempts or malicious links.
As web applications continue to evolve, maintaining a strong security posture is essential to defending against emerging threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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