How to remediate – Orion Application Server Web Examples Multiple XSS

1. Introduction

The Orion Application Server Web Examples Multiple XSS vulnerability allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts into a user’s browser through vulnerable JSP applications. This could lead to session hijacking, defacement of web pages, or redirection to harmful sites. Systems running the affected Orion Application Server with deployed example applications are at risk. Impact is likely to be medium, affecting confidentiality, integrity and availability depending on attacker actions.

2. Technical Explanation

• Root cause: Lack of input validation on user-supplied parameters within example JSP applications.
• Exploit mechanism: An attacker crafts a URL containing malicious JavaScript in one of the vulnerable parameters and tricks a user into visiting it. For example, http://example.com/examples/jsp/sessions/carts.jsp?item=.
• Scope: Orion Application Server hosted on Java2 platforms with deployed web examples applications.

3. Detection and Assessment

Confirming vulnerability involves identifying if the example applications are deployed. A thorough assessment requires testing the vulnerable parameters for XSS injection.

• Quick checks: Check application deployment directories for the presence of ‘examples/jsp’.
• Scanning: Nessus plugin ID 34872 may identify this vulnerability, but results should be manually verified.
• Logs and evidence: Examine web server logs for requests to the affected JSP scripts with suspicious parameters. Look for encoded script tags or unusual characters in parameter values.

ls /opt/orion/webapps/examples/jsp

4. Solution / Remediation Steps

The recommended solution is to remove the vulnerable web examples applications from Orion Application Server. This eliminates the attack surface and prevents exploitation.

4.1 Preparation

• Ensure you have appropriate permissions to modify the Orion application deployment directory. Change windows should be scheduled during off-peak hours and approved by the IT security team.

4.2 Implementation

1. Step 1: Stop the Orion Application Server service if it is running.
2. Step 2: Remove the ‘examples’ directory from the webapps folder. For example, using Linux: rm -rf /opt/orion/webapps/examples.
3. Step 3: Restart the Orion Application Server service.

4.3 Config or Code Example

Before

/opt/orion/webapps/examples/jsp/sessions/carts.jsp exists

After

/opt/orion/webapps/examples/jsp directory does not exist

4.4 Security Practices Relevant to This Vulnerability

Several security practices can help prevent this type of vulnerability. Input validation is key, as is the principle of least privilege.

• Practice 1: Least privilege – limiting application access reduces impact if exploited.
• Practice 2: Input validation – blocking unsafe data prevents XSS attacks.

4.5 Automation (Optional)

#!/bin/bash
# Script to remove the examples directory from Orion Application Server
ORION_HOME="/opt/orion"
if [ -d "$ORION_HOME/webapps/examples" ]; then
  echo "Removing examples directory..."
  rm -rf "$ORION_HOME/webapps/examples"
  echo "Examples directory removed."
else
  echo "Examples directory does not exist. Skipping removal."
fi

5. Verification / Validation

Confirm the fix by verifying that the example applications are no longer deployed and attempting to access them results in an error. A smoke test should confirm core application functionality remains intact.

• Post-fix check: Attempt to access http://example.com/examples/jsp/sessions/carts.jsp. Expect a 404 Not Found error.
• Re-test: Repeat the directory listing command from step 3 of Detection and Assessment (ls /opt/orion/webapps/examples/jsp). The directory should no longer exist.
• Smoke test: Verify core application functionality, such as user login or data retrieval, is still working correctly.
• Monitoring: Monitor web server logs for any unexpected errors related to the removed example applications.

curl -I http://example.com/examples/jsp/sessions/carts.jsp

6. Preventive Measures and Monitoring

Regular security baselines, pipeline checks, and a robust patch process can prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future. For example, update your application server baseline to include this fix.

• Baselines: Update security baselines or policies to require removal of default example applications.
• Pipelines: Add static code analysis (SAST) tools to CI pipelines to detect potential XSS vulnerabilities during development.
• Asset and patch process: Implement a regular review cycle for application server configurations and patches.

7. Risks, Side Effects, and Roll Back

Removing the example applications may impact developers who use them for testing or reference purposes. The roll back steps involve restoring the ‘examples’ directory from a backup.

• Risk or side effect 1: Developers relying on the examples may need to find alternative resources.
• Roll back: Step 1: Stop the Orion Application Server service. Step 2: Restore the ‘examples’ directory from a known good backup. Step 3: Restart the Orion Application Server service.

8. References and Resources

• Vendor advisory or bulletin: https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2009/Sep/29
• NVD or CVE entry: No specific CVE is listed for this vulnerability in the provided context.
• Product or platform documentation relevant to the fix: https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2009/Jul/109