CVE-2010-2988 in Unified Wireless Network Solution Software
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Cisco Unified Wireless Network (UWN) Solution 7.x before 7.0.98.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, aka Bug ID CSCtf35333.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2988 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco Unified Wireless Network Solution version 7.x prior to 7.0.98.0. This security weakness exposes the wireless network infrastructure to remote exploitation by malicious actors who can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content into the affected system. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of web application security flaws that compromise user sessions and can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive network information. The specific bug ID CSCtf35333 indicates this was tracked within Cisco's internal vulnerability management system, highlighting the organization's recognition of the severity and impact of this particular flaw. Such vulnerabilities in wireless network management systems pose significant risks as they can potentially compromise the entire wireless infrastructure and the devices connected to it.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs through unspecified vectors within the Cisco Unified Wireless Network Solution's web interface or management protocols. Cross-site scripting attacks exploit the lack of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. In the context of wireless network management, this means that an attacker could potentially inject scripts that would execute when network administrators or users access the management interface, leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or further compromise of the wireless network. The vulnerability's presence in the 7.x series suggests it was a persistent flaw affecting multiple versions of the wireless network solution, indicating a fundamental issue in the application's input handling mechanisms that required a specific patch release to address.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to the wireless network management interface and potentially compromise the entire wireless infrastructure. Network administrators who interact with the affected system could unknowingly execute malicious code when viewing compromised web pages or when the system processes certain inputs from network devices. This could result in unauthorized configuration changes, data leakage, or the establishment of persistent access points within the network. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not need physical access to the network infrastructure, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on centralized wireless network management. The implications are further compounded by the fact that wireless network management interfaces often contain sensitive configuration data and administrative credentials that could be exploited to gain deeper access to the network.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2988 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Cisco Unified Wireless Network Solution installations to version 7.0.98.0 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the wireless management interface to trusted networks only. The implementation of proper input validation and output encoding measures within web applications can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future, aligning with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual traffic patterns or suspicious activity in the wireless management interface, as outlined in ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through web application attacks. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing comprehensive security controls around critical network infrastructure components.