CVE-2013-3455 in Finesse
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Finesse allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by sniffing the network for HTTP query data, aka Bug ID CSCug16732.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2022
Cisco Finesse represents a web-based customer relationship management platform that integrates with Cisco Unified Communications systems, providing agents with tools for handling customer interactions through voice, email, and chat channels. The platform operates by processing HTTP requests and maintaining session information that includes sensitive data about customer interactions, agent activities, and system configurations. This vulnerability specifically targets the manner in which the platform handles HTTP query parameters and session management, creating an information disclosure risk that can be exploited through network sniffing techniques.
The technical flaw in CVE-2013-3455 stems from insufficient sanitization and secure handling of HTTP query data within the Cisco Finesse application. When users interact with the platform through web interfaces, various parameters are passed through HTTP requests including session identifiers, user credentials, and potentially sensitive operational data. The vulnerability occurs because the application does not properly validate or sanitize these query parameters before processing them, allowing attackers who can monitor network traffic to capture and analyze the transmitted data. This weakness specifically manifests when the platform transmits sensitive information in URL parameters or HTTP headers that contain session tokens, user identifiers, or other confidential data elements.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with access to potentially sensitive customer data and system information that could be leveraged for further attacks. An attacker with network monitoring capabilities can capture HTTP query data containing session identifiers, which could then be used to hijack user sessions or gain unauthorized access to the Finesse application. The vulnerability affects not only the confidentiality of customer interaction data but also the integrity of the authentication mechanisms within the platform, as session tokens and other authentication-related parameters may be exposed during normal operation. This exposure creates opportunities for privilege escalation and unauthorized access to sensitive customer information, particularly in environments where the platform handles confidential customer data.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with network segmentation and traffic encryption to prevent unauthorized network monitoring. The implementation of secure HTTP headers, including proper content security policies and secure session management practices, can help reduce the exposure of sensitive data in query parameters. Additionally, regular network traffic monitoring and anomaly detection systems should be deployed to identify unusual patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and represents a classic example of insecure handling of sensitive data in web applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1041, Exfiltration Over C2 Channel, and T1566, Phishing, as it enables attackers to gather information that could be used for more sophisticated social engineering attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their communication platforms.