CVE-2013-5524 in Identity Services Engine Software
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the troubleshooting page in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) 1.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via an unspecified parameter, aka Bug ID CSCug77655.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5524 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Cisco Identity Services Engine version 1.2 and earlier releases. This security weakness specifically affects the troubleshooting page functionality within the ISE platform, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by remote threat actors. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before it is rendered in web responses. The unspecified parameter mentioned in the description indicates that attackers can manipulate various input fields within the troubleshooting interface to inject malicious scripts, making the attack vector particularly versatile and difficult to predict.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing script code within the vulnerable parameter and submits it through the troubleshooting page interface. The ISE platform processes this input without adequate sanitization, allowing the malicious code to execute within the context of a victim's browser session. This creates a persistent threat where attackers can steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads through compromised ISE interfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-5524 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a foothold within network security infrastructure that could lead to more severe consequences. Organizations relying on Cisco ISE for identity and access management could face unauthorized access to sensitive network resources, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within their network environments. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the troubleshooting functionality that administrators frequently use, making legitimate access to diagnostic tools a potential attack vector. Attackers could exploit this weakness to establish persistent access, modify network policies, or gain visibility into network operations that should remain protected within the ISE environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-5524 should focus on immediate patching of affected Cisco ISE versions, with organizations upgrading to versions that contain proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Network administrators should implement strict input validation controls and ensure that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before processing. The implementation of Content Security Policies (CSP) can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent script execution in browser contexts. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and monitoring of ISE troubleshooting interfaces to detect anomalous access patterns. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in network infrastructure components, while administrative access to ISE platforms should be strictly controlled and monitored through multi-factor authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust web application security practices to protect enterprise network infrastructure from sophisticated attack vectors.