CVE-2014-0670 in MediaSense
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Search and Play interface in Cisco MediaSense allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via an unspecified parameter, aka Bug ID CSCum16686.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2022
The CVE-2014-0670 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Cisco MediaSense's Search and Play interface, a component designed for media content management and playback within network environments. This vulnerability resides within the web-based user interface of Cisco MediaSense, which is commonly deployed in enterprise networks to provide media services and analytics. The flaw specifically affects the interface's handling of user input parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability was identified and documented under Bug ID CSCum16686, highlighting its significance within Cisco's internal tracking systems. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application layer, allowing attackers to manipulate the interface through crafted parameters that are not properly sanitized before being rendered to users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the injection of malicious scripts into unspecified parameters within the Search and Play interface. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting specially formatted input that bypasses existing security controls and gets executed when the vulnerable interface processes and displays the data. The flaw manifests as a classic XSS vulnerability, specifically categorized under CWE-79 as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')", which is one of the most prevalent and well-documented web application security issues. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the web interface components that handle user queries and media search functionality, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may have elevated privileges. The attack vector requires no special privileges to initiate, as the vulnerability exists in the web interface that is accessible to remote users, making it exploitable from outside the network perimeter.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0670 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, redirect victims to malicious sites, or execute unauthorized actions within the MediaSense environment. In enterprise network settings, this vulnerability could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to media content management systems, potentially compromising sensitive network monitoring data or media analytics. The attack could result in data exfiltration, system compromise, or disruption of media services within the network infrastructure. Organizations using Cisco MediaSense for network monitoring and media analytics face significant risk as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain persistent access to their media management systems, particularly in environments where the interface is accessible to multiple users or exposed to external networks. The vulnerability's impact is amplified when considering that MediaSense is often integrated into broader network management and security monitoring frameworks, potentially allowing attackers to use this entry point to escalate privileges or move laterally within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0670 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Cisco, as the vendor likely released a security advisory addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations must implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious scripts from being executed within the web interface. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the vulnerable interface to untrusted networks. Regular security assessments and web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and filter potentially malicious traffic targeting the affected interface. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing MediaSense functionalities. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators should emphasize the importance of timely patch management and the risks associated with unpatched web applications. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically focusing on the execution of scripts within web browsers, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in web application security design.