CVE-2014-0652 in Context Directory Agent
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Mappings page in Cisco Context Directory Agent (CDA) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL, aka Bug ID CSCuj45358.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0652 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Cisco Context Directory Agent version 2.2.0.1 and earlier versions. This vulnerability specifically affects the Mappings page functionality within the CDA system, which serves as a directory service component that facilitates user authentication and authorization processes. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through the manipulation of crafted URLs, potentially compromising the security of systems that rely on this directory agent for authentication services. The vulnerability was catalogued under Bug ID CSCuj45358, highlighting its significance within Cisco's internal tracking systems and indicating that it had been properly documented and analyzed by the vendor's security team.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Mappings page of the Cisco Context Directory Agent. When the application processes user-supplied URL parameters without proper sanitization, it fails to adequately escape or encode special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This allows an attacker to craft malicious URLs containing script tags or other harmful code sequences that get executed in the context of a victim's browser session. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application displays user-controllable data without appropriate security measures, creating an environment where attacker-controlled input can be interpreted as executable code rather than mere data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a range of malicious activities within the compromised environment. An attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface web pages, or even execute more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft or privilege escalation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where the Context Directory Agent is used for authentication and authorization, as it could allow unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged from anywhere on the internet.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations to protect their systems from exploitation. The most effective approach involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates released by Cisco to address this specific XSS vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within web applications can prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can monitor for suspicious URL patterns and potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should be addressed through comprehensive security testing and code review processes. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving code injection and credential access, potentially enabling more advanced persistent threats within compromised networks. Organizations should also consider conducting thorough security assessments to identify other potential vulnerabilities in their directory services and authentication systems that might be similarly exposed to cross-site scripting attacks.