CVE-2007-5547 in IOS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Cisco IOS allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML, and execute IOS commands, via unspecified vectors, aka PSIRT-2022590358. NOTE: as of 20071016, the only disclosure is a vague pre-advisory with no actionable information. However, since it is from a well-known researcher, it is being assigned a CVE identifier for tracking purposes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5547 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco IOS operating systems that exposes networks to remote exploitation. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically targeting the web interface components of Cisco IOS devices. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code into the system, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary IOS commands and gain unauthorized access to network infrastructure. The vulnerability was initially disclosed through a vague pre-advisory without specific technical details, which is typical for zero-day vulnerabilities that have not yet been fully analyzed by the security community.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs within the web-based management interface of Cisco IOS devices, where input validation mechanisms fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that are then executed within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to complete compromise of the affected network device. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the original description suggest that multiple attack surfaces within the IOS web interface could be leveraged, including form inputs, URL parameters, or other user-controllable fields. This lack of specificity in the initial disclosure indicates that the vulnerability may have multiple exploitation paths, making it particularly dangerous for network administrators who must protect against various attack scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-5547 extends beyond simple web interface compromise, as successful exploitation could lead to complete network device control and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive configuration data, modify network settings, intercept traffic, or even use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network perimeter. The ability to execute IOS commands remotely means that attackers could potentially disable security features, create backdoors, or manipulate routing tables to disrupt network operations. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise networks that rely on Cisco IOS devices for core network functions, as the compromise of a single device could have cascading effects throughout the entire network infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling web-based management interfaces when possible, implementing robust input validation controls, and deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious traffic. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and following vendor advisories promptly, as the lack of detailed technical information in the initial disclosure suggests that this vulnerability may have been actively exploited in the wild. Security teams should monitor network traffic for suspicious patterns and implement comprehensive logging to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network components, as this particular vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for robust input validation across all web-based management interfaces within enterprise networks.