CVE-2014-0663 in Secure Access Control System
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the web framework in Cisco Secure Access Control System (ACS) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via an unspecified parameter, aka Bug ID CSCum03625.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0663 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco Secure Access Control System's web framework, categorized under CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. This weakness enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of the affected system, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability manifests through an unspecified parameter within the web interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring authentication or privileged access. The issue was documented under Bug ID CSCum03625, indicating a well-known security gap in Cisco's access control solutions that had been identified and catalogued by the vendor's internal security team.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is improperly validated or sanitized before being rendered in web pages. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that get executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users who visit affected pages. The unspecified parameter suggests that multiple input vectors within the web framework could be susceptible to this attack, potentially affecting various administrative functions or user interfaces within the Cisco ACS environment. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as it enables attackers to inject malicious code that can manipulate web interfaces and potentially escalate privileges through session hijacking or credential theft.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject backdoors into the access control system. This poses significant risks to network security infrastructure, as Cisco ACS systems typically manage critical access control functions for enterprise networks. The vulnerability affects organizations using Cisco Secure Access Control System versions prior to the patched release, potentially exposing sensitive network access controls and user authentication mechanisms to unauthorized manipulation. Organizations with extensive deployments of Cisco ACS could face widespread compromise if this vulnerability remains unpatched, as the web interface serves as a primary management entry point for administrators.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0663 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Cisco, specifically addressing the web framework components that handle user input validation. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures at multiple layers, including web application firewalls and proxy configurations that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous user behavior or unusual traffic patterns that might indicate XSS attack attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network infrastructure components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in web applications. The remediation process should also include comprehensive staff training on secure coding practices and the importance of validating all user inputs to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in custom applications or third-party integrations.