CVE-2013-5482 in Prime LAN Management Solution
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Prime LAN Management Solution (LMS) does not properly restrict use of IFRAME elements, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct clickjacking attacks and unspecified other attacks via a crafted web site, related to a "cross-frame scripting (XFS)" issue, aka Bug ID CSCug77823.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5482 affects Cisco Prime LAN Management Solution version 2.2 and earlier, representing a critical cross-frame scripting issue that undermines the security posture of network management systems. This flaw stems from the improper restriction of IFRAME element usage within the web interface, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit the system through crafted web content. The vulnerability specifically relates to the absence of proper security controls that should prevent unauthorized frame embedding and cross-domain scripting operations, which are fundamental security mechanisms in modern web applications. The issue manifests as a failure to implement adequate content security policies and frame-embedding restrictions that would normally protect against such attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the web application's failure to enforce proper security boundaries when processing IFRAME elements, allowing attackers to embed malicious content within frames that can interact with the legitimate LMS interface. This creates a dangerous scenario where an attacker can craft a malicious website that loads the vulnerable LMS interface within an invisible or deceptive frame, enabling them to manipulate user interactions and potentially steal session information or perform unauthorized actions. The vulnerability operates under the broader category of cross-frame scripting attacks, which are classified under CWE-749 as "Exposed Dangerous Method or Function" and are related to improper access control mechanisms. The attack vector leverages the browser's frame loading capabilities to create a deceptive user experience where legitimate interface elements become compromised through malicious frame manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple clickjacking attacks to encompass a broader range of potential exploitation techniques that can compromise network management operations. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform session hijacking, steal administrative credentials, manipulate network configurations, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive network data through the compromised LMS interface. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on Cisco Prime LMS for network infrastructure management, as it provides attackers with a pathway to compromise critical network operations and potentially escalate privileges within the network management environment. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring local access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that expose their LMS interfaces to external networks or have less restrictive firewall policies.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Cisco Prime LMS version 2.2.2 or later, which contains patches addressing the cross-frame scripting vulnerability. The solution involves implementing proper Content Security Policy headers that restrict frame embedding and prevent cross-domain frame loading, along with disabling unnecessary IFRAME usage within the application. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious frame embedding attempts, along with regular security assessments of the web interface to identify similar vulnerabilities. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to technique T1556.001 for "Credential Access: Steal or Forge Kerberos Tickets" and T1071.001 for "Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols", as attackers can leverage the compromised interface to gain elevated privileges and manipulate network communications. The vulnerability also aligns with the broader category of web application security flaws that require comprehensive defense-in-depth strategies including proper input validation, secure coding practices, and regular security updates to prevent exploitation of similar cross-frame scripting vulnerabilities.