This article is a part of our Vulnerability Database (back to index)
Cross-site Scripting occurrences in Pi Web Api
A remote authenticated attacker with write access to a PI Server could trick a user into interacting with a PI Web API endpoint and redirect them to a malicious website. As a result, a victim may disclose sensitive information to the attacker or be provided with false information. (2021-11-18, CVE-2021-43549)
In OSIsoft PI Web API 2019 Patch 1 (1.12.0.6346) and all previous versions, the affected product is vulnerable to a cross-site scripting attack, which may allow an attacker to remotely execute arbitrary code. (2020-06-23, CVE-2020-12021)
A Cross-site Scripting issue was discovered in OSIsoft PI Web API versions 2017 R2 and prior. Cross-site scripting may occur when input is incorrectly neutralized. (2018-03-14, CVE-2018-7508)
Why Cross-site Scripting can be dangerous
Cross site scripting is an attack where a web page executes code that is injected by an adversary. It usually appears, when users input is presented. This attack can be used to impersonate a user, take over control of the session, or even steal API keys.
The attack can be executed e.g. when you application injects the request parameter directly into the HTML code of the page returned to the user:
https://server.com/confirmation?message=Transaction+Complete
what results in:
<span>Confirmation: Transaction Complete</span>
In that case the message can be modified to become a valid Javascript code, e.g.:
https://server.com/confirmation?message=<script>dangerous javascript code here</script>
and it will be executed locally by the user's browser with full access to the user's personal application/browser data:
<span>Confirmation: <script>dangerous javascript code here</script></span>