CVE-2007-4284 in Unified MeetingPlace
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Cisco Unified MeetingPlace Web Conferencing (MP) 5.3.235.0 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and web script via the (1) Success Template (STPL) and (2) Failure Template (FTPL) parameters, which are not properly handled in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2017
Cisco Unified MeetingPlace Web Conferencing version 5.3.235.0 and earlier contains multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that arise from improper handling of template parameters in error message processing. These vulnerabilities specifically affect the Success Template (STPL) and Failure Template (FTPL) parameters, which are utilized within the system's error handling mechanisms. The flaw occurs when the application fails to sanitize user input passed through these template parameters, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code that executes in the context of authenticated users' browsers. This represents a classic server-side template injection vulnerability that enables attackers to manipulate the application's error display functionality to deliver malicious payloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the MP web conferencing platform's template processing subsystem. When the system encounters certain error conditions, it renders error messages using the STPL and FTPL parameters without proper sanitization of user-supplied content. This creates an environment where attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit the template rendering engine to execute scripts in the victim's browser context. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or encoding, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary scripts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, and conduct further attacks through the compromised browser sessions. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can manipulate the web conferencing interface to redirect users to malicious sites, modify conference parameters, or execute commands on behalf of authenticated users. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where web conferencing platforms are extensively used. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for scripting, specifically targeting web application interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's template processing pipeline. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied parameters passed to template rendering functions undergo strict sanitization before being incorporated into error messages. The recommended approach includes implementing proper HTML escaping, content security policies, and input validation that prevents the injection of script tags or other malicious constructs. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious template parameter values. Regular security updates and patches should be applied immediately upon availability, as this vulnerability affects versions through 5.3.235.0 and represents a critical security risk that requires immediate attention to protect enterprise communication platforms from potential exploitation.