This article is a part of our Vulnerability Database (back to index)
Cross-site Scripting occurrences in Virtual Traffic Manager
A stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the web administration user interface of Pulse Secure Virtual Traffic Manager may allow a remote authenticated attacker to inject web script or HTML via a crafted website and steal sensitive data and credentials. Affected releases are Pulse Secure Virtual Traffic Manager 9.9 versions prior to 9.9r2 and 10.4r1. (2018-12-20, CVE-2018-20306)
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>