CVE-2014-3298 in Cloud Portal
Summary
by MITRE
Form Data Viewer in Cisco Intelligent Automation for Cloud in Cisco Cloud Portal places passwords in form data, which allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information by reading HTML source code, aka Bug ID CSCui36976.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3298 resides within Cisco Intelligent Automation for Cloud component of the Cisco Cloud Portal ecosystem, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that directly impacts the security posture of cloud deployment environments. This issue specifically affects the Form Data Viewer functionality where sensitive authentication credentials are inadvertently stored within HTML form data structures rather than being properly masked or secured during transmission and storage processes. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of password fields within the web interface, creating an exploitable condition that violates fundamental security principles of credential protection and data sanitization.
The technical implementation flaw manifests when authenticated users interact with form-based interfaces within the cloud automation platform, where password values are rendered in plaintext within HTML source code rather than being properly obscured through standard security mechanisms such as password masking or secure input field handling. This vulnerability operates under the principle that sensitive data should never be exposed in plain text within client-side code, particularly within web applications where HTML source code can be easily accessed through standard browser inspection tools or network traffic analysis. The flaw specifically enables attackers to obtain sensitive information by simply reading the HTML source code of affected pages, bypassing traditional authentication mechanisms and directly accessing stored credentials.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations utilizing Cisco Intelligent Automation for Cloud, as it allows remote authenticated users to extract password information from form data without requiring additional exploitation techniques or elevated privileges. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages legitimate user sessions and does not require complex attack chains or privilege escalation mechanisms. This vulnerability directly violates security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the risk of sensitive data exposure and weak session management. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft to potentially enable broader system compromise through lateral movement and unauthorized access to cloud resources.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1078 credential access tactics, where adversaries leverage legitimate credentials to gain access to systems and data. The vulnerability also relates to CWE-200 Information Exposure, which categorizes weaknesses where sensitive information is exposed to unauthorized actors through improper data handling or security controls. Organizations deploying Cisco Cloud Portal solutions face increased risk of credential compromise, potential unauthorized access to cloud infrastructure, and possible data breaches that could result in regulatory compliance violations and financial losses. The remediation approach requires immediate patching of affected Cisco products, implementation of proper form data sanitization controls, and enhanced monitoring for suspicious activities within cloud automation environments.
Security professionals should implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts, establish proper input validation controls for form data handling, and ensure that all authentication credentials are properly masked and secured within web applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper security controls in cloud automation platforms and highlights the need for thorough security testing of web interfaces to prevent information disclosure vulnerabilities that could compromise entire cloud environments.