CVE-2009-1287 in Subscriber Edge Services Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Cisco Subscriber Edge Services Manager (SESM) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the URI. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2024
The Cisco Subscriber Edge Services Manager (SESM) represents a critical component in telecommunications infrastructure responsible for managing subscriber services and edge network operations. This vulnerability exists within the web-based management interface of the SESM system, specifically in how it processes URI parameters. The flaw manifests as a cross-site scripting vulnerability that enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content directly into the application's response handling mechanism. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding of URI parameters, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that bypass security controls and execute unauthorized code within the context of a victim's browser session. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's security architecture where user-supplied data flows directly into web responses without proper sanitization or context-appropriate encoding. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable session hijacking, credential theft, and further exploitation of the compromised system.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URI containing script payloads that are then processed by the SESM web interface. The vulnerability is classified as a classic reflected XSS attack pattern where the malicious script is reflected back to the user through the application's response, executing in the victim's browser context. This attack vector operates without requiring authentication or privileged access to the SESM system itself, making it particularly dangerous in network environments where administrative interfaces are accessible to unauthorized users. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in proper input validation mechanisms and highlights the importance of implementing robust output encoding strategies. According to CWE guidelines, this represents a CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a core weakness in web application security. The attack can be executed through various methods including crafted URLs sent via phishing emails, malicious web pages, or through compromised network services that interact with the SESM interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate exploitation to encompass broader security implications for telecommunications infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive subscriber information, manipulate service configurations, or establish persistent access points within the network. The compromised SESM system serves as a critical management interface for subscriber services, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to disrupt service or extract valuable data. This vulnerability also enables attackers to perform session manipulation attacks, potentially allowing them to impersonate legitimate users or administrators within the SESM environment. The security implications are particularly severe given that SESM systems typically handle sensitive customer data and control critical network services. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566: Phishing and T1071.004: Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, representing how attackers can leverage web-based attacks to compromise network infrastructure. The vulnerability also aligns with T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as successful exploitation could potentially lead to administrative access within the network management system. Organizations relying on SESM for subscriber management face significant risk of service disruption, data breaches, and potential network compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security architecture improvements. The primary recommendation involves implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the SESM web interface to prevent malicious script injection. This includes applying context-appropriate encoding for all URI parameters and ensuring that user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls and security monitoring to detect and block malicious URI patterns. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution in compromised contexts. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit exposure of the SESM management interface to only authorized personnel. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other network management systems. System administrators must also ensure that all Cisco SESM installations are updated with the latest security patches and that proper network monitoring is in place to detect suspicious activities. The vulnerability underscores the need for comprehensive security awareness training for network administrators and the importance of following secure coding practices in network management applications. Organizations should also consider implementing automated security testing procedures to identify similar XSS vulnerabilities in other web applications within their infrastructure.