CVE-2017-3964 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

McAfee Network Security Management (NSM) version 8.2.7.42.2 and below is susceptible to a Reflective Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts via URL parameters.

Understanding CVE-2017-3964

This CVE involves a security flaw in the web interface of McAfee NSM that could be exploited by attackers to execute XSS attacks.

What is CVE-2017-3964?

The vulnerability in McAfee NSM before version 8.2.7.42.2 enables malicious actors to insert harmful web scripts or HTML code through a URL parameter, potentially compromising the system's security.

The Impact of CVE-2017-3964

CVSS Base Score: 3.5 (Low)
Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: Low
Privileges Required: High
User Interaction: Required
Confidentiality Impact: None
Integrity Impact: Low
Availability Impact: Low
Scope: Unchanged

Technical Details of CVE-2017-3964

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The Reflective Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in McAfee NSM's web interface allows threat actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML code via URL parameters.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: Network Security Management (NSM)
Vendor: McAfee
Affected Version: 8.2 (custom version)
Versions Affected: Less than 8.2.7.42.2

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by manipulating URL parameters to inject malicious scripts, potentially leading to unauthorized access or data theft.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-3964 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update McAfee NSM to version 8.2.7.42.2 or above to mitigate the XSS vulnerability.
Monitor and filter input data to prevent malicious script injections.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly scan and audit web applications for vulnerabilities.
Educate users on safe browsing habits and awareness of phishing attempts.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by McAfee to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.