CVE-2009-0470 in IOS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the HTTP server in Cisco IOS 12.4(23) allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the PATH_INFO to the default URI under (1) level/15/exec/-/ or (2) exec/, a different vulnerability than CVE-2008-3821.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0470 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco IOS 12.4(23) that exposes network devices to remote code execution through web-based attack vectors. This vulnerability specifically affects the HTTP server component of Cisco IOS, which is commonly deployed on routers and switches to provide web-based management interfaces. The flaw manifests when the system processes PATH_INFO parameters within the default URI structure, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content directly into the device's web interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted HTTP requests that leverage the PATH_INFO parameter to manipulate the web server's handling of input data. Attackers can target two specific URI paths: level/15/exec/-/ and exec/, both of which represent administrative access points within the IOS web interface. These paths are particularly dangerous because they provide elevated privileges, allowing attackers to potentially gain unauthorized access to critical network infrastructure. The vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2008-3821, indicating that it represents a separate code path or implementation flaw that requires unique mitigation approaches.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a fundamental web application security weakness in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated users, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Network administrators who rely on web-based management interfaces for device configuration and monitoring face significant risks, as the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring authentication credentials. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that many network devices operate in environments where web management interfaces are enabled by default.
The security implications extend beyond simple script injection, as this vulnerability can be leveraged to perform session hijacking, steal administrative credentials, or redirect users to malicious websites. The fact that the vulnerability exists in the default URI paths means that even devices with minimal configuration changes could be exposed to attack. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can execute arbitrary commands through the web interface. Organizations implementing Cisco IOS devices in production environments must consider this vulnerability as a critical threat requiring immediate remediation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0470 should include immediate patch deployment from Cisco, which would address the underlying code implementation flaw in the HTTP server component. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation to limit access to web management interfaces, disable unnecessary web services, and employ web application firewalls to filter malicious traffic. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper sanitization of user-supplied data, as the PATH_INFO parameter should be strictly validated to prevent arbitrary script injection. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their network infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components and ensure comprehensive protection against evolving attack vectors.