CVE-2014-3297 in Cloud Portal
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Intelligent Automation for Cloud in Cisco Cloud Portal does not properly restrict the content of MyServices action URLs, which allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information by reading (1) web-server access logs, (2) web-server Referer logs, or (3) the browser history, aka Bug IDs CSCui36937, CSCui37004, and CSCui36927.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2014-3297 affects Cisco Intelligent Automation for Cloud within the Cisco Cloud Portal environment, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms. This weakness exists in the handling of MyServices action URLs where the system fails to properly sanitize or restrict the content of these URLs, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by authenticated attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web server's logging mechanisms and browser history storage, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through multiple vectors without requiring additional privileges beyond authentication.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of user-supplied input within action URLs, where the system processes these URLs without sufficient validation or sanitization measures. This allows malicious users to inject content that can be stored in web server access logs, referer logs, or browser history, creating persistent data exposure channels. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-20, which encompasses weak input validation, and specifically relates to CWE-200, information exposure, as it enables unauthorized information disclosure through log files that are typically accessible to system administrators or attackers who can gain access to these logs. The flaw is particularly insidious because it exploits the legitimate functionality of web server logging while using it as a vector for data exfiltration.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing Cisco Intelligent Automation for Cloud, as it can lead to the exposure of sensitive information including but not limited to session identifiers, user credentials, system paths, and potentially business-critical data. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting specially formatted URLs that, when processed by the system, result in sensitive data being logged in accessible locations. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as the stored information can be used for further attacks including session hijacking, privilege escalation, or targeted social engineering campaigns. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the system as it allows for persistent data leakage that can occur over extended periods without detection.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal privileges as it only requires authenticated access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user access controls may not be properly enforced. Attackers can leverage the access logs and referer logs to extract sensitive information that may contain session tokens, user identifiers, or other data that could be used to compromise additional systems. The browser history exposure adds another dimension to the attack surface as it allows for information extraction through client-side mechanisms that may not be subject to the same access controls as server-side logging systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol: DNS and T1071.001 for application layer protocol: web protocols, as it exploits the normal operation of web application protocols to achieve unauthorized information disclosure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3297 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms for all user-supplied content within action URLs. Organizations should ensure that all URL parameters are properly escaped and validated before processing, implementing strict content filtering and encoding mechanisms. The system should be configured to sanitize input data at multiple points in the processing pipeline, particularly where user input is used to construct URLs or log entries. Additionally, access controls should be strengthened to limit who can create or modify MyServices actions, and regular log reviews should be implemented to detect anomalous patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual access patterns to log files and to alert on potential information disclosure events. The implementation of proper logging controls, including the use of secure log storage mechanisms and access controls, should be prioritized to prevent unauthorized access to potentially sensitive log information. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation rules specifically designed to prevent the injection of malicious content into URL parameters.