CVE-2011-0962 in Unified Operations Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in CSCOnm/servlet/com.cisco.nm.help.ServerHelpEngine in the Common Services Device Center in Cisco Unified Operations Manager (CUOM) before 8.6 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the tag parameter, aka Bug ID CSCto12712.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0962 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco Unified Operations Manager's Common Services Device Center component. This security weakness exists in the ServerHelpEngine servlet at the path CSCOnm/servlet/com.cisco.nm.help.ServerHelpEngine, specifically affecting versions prior to 8.6 of the CUOM platform. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input submitted through the tag parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of the tag parameter in the ServerHelpEngine servlet, which serves as a help and documentation engine component within the Cisco Unified Operations Manager environment. When an attacker crafts malicious input containing script tags or HTML code and submits it through this parameter, the application processes the input without adequate validation or sanitization mechanisms. This allows the malicious content to be rendered in the web browser of legitimate users who access the help functionality, thereby enabling the execution of unauthorized scripts within their browser context. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, where applications fail to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly within enterprise network management environments where Cisco Unified Operations Manager is deployed. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to perform session hijacking attacks, steal user credentials, access sensitive operational data, or redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on CUOM for network device management and monitoring, as it enables attackers to compromise the help and documentation system that users frequently access during troubleshooting operations. The security implications are severe because the help engine is typically accessible to multiple users within the organization, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access points or execute more sophisticated attacks through the compromised help system interface.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate application of Cisco's security patches and updates, specifically upgrading to CUOM version 8.6 or later where the XSS vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive web application firewall rules to filter malicious payloads targeting the affected servlet path, while also deploying input validation controls at multiple layers of the application stack. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the vulnerable component within their network infrastructure, and implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include reviewing and updating security policies to ensure proper handling of user inputs in web applications, with particular attention to the help and documentation subsystems that may be similarly vulnerable. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit potential attack surfaces, while regular security awareness training should emphasize the risks associated with clicking on untrusted links or content within help systems.