CVE-2011-3294 in Telepresence Video Communication Servers Software
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the login page in the administrative interface on Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Servers (VCS) with software before X7.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the User-Agent HTTP header, aka Bug ID CSCts80342.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3294 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Servers running software versions prior to X7.0. This security weakness specifically targets the administrative interface login page, creating a dangerous attack vector that enables remote adversaries to execute malicious code within the context of authenticated sessions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data originating from HTTP headers, particularly the User-Agent field commonly used by web browsers to identify client software versions and characteristics.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the User-Agent HTTP header during authentication attempts. When the VCS administrative interface processes login requests, it fails to adequately filter or escape special characters present in the User-Agent string before rendering it in the web interface. This improper handling creates an XSS condition where malicious payloads can be injected and subsequently executed when the compromised interface is accessed by administrators or other authenticated users. The flaw falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection attacks targeting web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the administrative interface of critical communication infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially escalate privileges, modify system configurations, access sensitive communication data, or even compromise the entire TelePresence network infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access or network proximity to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments that rely on these communication systems. Organizations using affected VCS software versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to their video conferencing infrastructure, potentially leading to surveillance, data interception, or service disruption attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate software upgrades to Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Server X7.0 or later versions where the XSS vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and output sanitization mechanisms. Network administrators should implement additional protective measures including web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious User-Agent patterns, enhanced monitoring of administrative interface access logs, and regular security assessments of communication infrastructure components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing comprehensive input validation practices throughout all web application components, particularly those handling user authentication and administrative functions. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication and network segmentation to reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.