CVE-2026-12619 Overview
CVE-2026-12619 is a stored or reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the Microchip GridTime 3000 GNSS time server. The flaw stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during web page generation, classified under [CWE-79]. An authenticated attacker with low privileges can inject malicious script content that executes in the browser context of another user. The vulnerability impacts GridTime 3000 firmware versions from 1.0r0.03 through 1.1r0.0. Successful exploitation requires user interaction, typically through a crafted link or visit to a compromised page, and may be chained with cross-site request forgery (CSRF) techniques referenced in the vendor advisory.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can execute arbitrary JavaScript in administrator browser sessions, potentially altering time-server configuration on critical infrastructure devices.
Affected Products
- Microchip GridTime 3000 GNSS Time Server, version 1.0r0.03
- Microchip GridTime 3000 GNSS Time Server, intermediate firmware releases between 1.0r0.03 and 1.1r0.0
- Microchip GridTime 3000 GNSS Time Server, version 1.1r0.0
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-06-19 - CVE-2026-12619 published to NVD
- 2026-06-22 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-12619
Vulnerability Analysis
The GridTime 3000 web management interface fails to neutralize input rendered back into HTML responses. When an attacker submits payloads containing HTML or JavaScript control characters, the application reflects or stores those characters without encoding them. A victim's browser then parses the injected content as executable script. The vendor advisory describes a CSRF-to-XSS chain, indicating that an attacker can pre-stage a request that writes attacker-controlled content into a stored field. Once an authenticated administrator views the affected page, the script executes under the administrator's session context. Because GridTime 3000 devices act as precision time sources for industrial and utility networks, configuration tampering can disrupt downstream timing-dependent operations.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing output encoding in server-side templates that render user-controlled fields back to the browser. The application accepts input without applying contextual escaping for HTML, attribute, or JavaScript contexts. Combined with weak CSRF protections referenced in the Microchip advisory, this allows an attacker to introduce persistent script payloads through forged requests.
Attack Vector
The attack is delivered over the network through HTTP requests to the GridTime 3000 management interface. The attacker needs low-privilege authentication and must induce user interaction, such as clicking a crafted link while authenticated to the device. Exploitation results in limited confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact within the vulnerable component.
No verified public exploit code is available. See the Microchip Security Vulnerability Report for vendor technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-12619
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected <script>, onerror, or onload strings stored in GridTime 3000 configuration fields, log entries, or device labels.
- Outbound HTTP requests from administrator workstations to unfamiliar domains immediately after accessing the GridTime web interface.
- Administrative configuration changes occurring outside scheduled maintenance windows.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect HTTP request and response bodies to the GridTime management interface for payloads containing HTML control characters in form parameters.
- Review device audit logs for configuration modifications correlated with administrator web sessions.
- Compare current device configuration against a known-good baseline to identify injected fields.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Log all administrative HTTP requests to GridTime 3000 devices and forward them to a central SIEM for review.
- Alert on Referer headers from external domains that target the GridTime management URL.
- Monitor administrator endpoint browsers for anomalous script execution and outbound connections following GridTime session activity.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-12619
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to the GridTime 3000 management interface to a dedicated management VLAN or jump host.
- Require administrators to use a separate browser profile or isolated workstation when managing the device.
- Review device configuration fields and remove any unexpected HTML or script content.
Patch Information
Microchip has published a security advisory describing the CSRF-to-XSS issue affecting GridTime 3000 firmware 1.0r0.03 through 1.1r0.0. Operators should consult the Microchip Security Vulnerability Report for firmware update availability and apply the vendor-supplied fix on all affected units.
Workarounds
- Place the GridTime 3000 behind a web application firewall configured to block HTML and JavaScript metacharacters in request parameters.
- Terminate administrator sessions immediately after configuration tasks to limit the window for CSRF-driven exploitation.
- Disable the web management interface when not actively in use and rely on out-of-band configuration where supported.
# Configuration example: restrict management access using host firewall rules
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 10.20.30.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
