CVE-2014-0735 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the IP Manager Assistant (IPMA) interface in Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Unified CM) 10.0(1) and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL, aka Bug ID CSCum46470.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0735 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco Unified Communications Manager's IP Manager Assistant component. This security weakness exists in versions 10.0(1) and earlier, exposing organizations to significant risks when attackers exploit the vulnerable interface. The IP Manager Assistant serves as a management tool for configuring IP-based communication systems, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to compromise unified communication environments. The vulnerability specifically affects the web-based administrative interface that administrators use to manage IP phone systems and related network components.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the IPMA interface. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing embedded script code that gets executed when the interface processes user requests. This occurs because the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in web pages, allowing malicious payloads to be interpreted as legitimate content by web browsers. The flaw operates at the application layer where user inputs are not adequately filtered or escaped, creating a pathway for persistent script injection attacks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges and access sensitive system information. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or inject malicious content that could compromise the entire communication infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the IPMA interface is typically accessible to network administrators and may be exposed to external networks, providing attackers with multiple entry points. Organizations using affected versions of Cisco Unified CM face risks of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and potential disruption of voice communication services. This vulnerability can be exploited without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for systems with exposed management interfaces.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves upgrading to Cisco Unified Communications Manager version 10.5(1) or later, which includes patches addressing the XSS vulnerability. Network segmentation should be implemented to restrict access to the IPMA interface, limiting exposure to trusted administrative networks only. Input validation controls should be enhanced at the application level, with proper encoding of all user-supplied data before rendering in web interfaces. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious URL patterns and script injection attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection highlights the need for comprehensive application security controls and regular security assessments. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide additional protection against similar attack vectors and ensure proper access controls are enforced through role-based permissions.