CVE-2014-3315 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in viewfilecontents.do in the Dialed Number Analyzer (DNA) component in Cisco Unified Communications Manager allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via an unspecified parameter, aka Bug ID CSCup76308.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3315 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco Unified Communications Manager's Dialed Number Analyzer component. This security weakness exists in the viewfilecontents.do web script handler and enables remote attackers to execute malicious code through web-based interfaces. The vulnerability specifically affects the DNA module which processes and displays file contents within the communication management platform, creating a potential attack vector that could compromise user sessions and system integrity. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it within web pages. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, making it a classic example of XSS attacks that can be exploited to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject malicious content into web applications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it exists within a core communication management system that handles sensitive telephony data and user information, making it an attractive target for adversaries seeking to compromise enterprise communication networks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input through an unspecified parameter in the viewfilecontents.do endpoint. The DNA component processes this input without adequate sanitization, allowing arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code to be executed within the context of a victim's browser session. This creates a persistent threat where attackers can inject malicious scripts that execute whenever legitimate users view the affected file contents. The attack vector leverages the web application's trust in user input, where the system fails to distinguish between legitimate content and malicious payloads. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in input validation and output encoding, which are fundamental requirements in secure web application development. According to ATT&CK framework category T1190, this represents a web application attack that targets the application layer, specifically exploiting weaknesses in input sanitization to gain unauthorized access to user sessions. The lack of proper parameter validation creates a direct path for attackers to manipulate application behavior and potentially escalate privileges within the communication infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to complete session hijacking and unauthorized access to sensitive communication data. Attackers could leverage this flaw to steal user credentials, monitor communication traffic, or redirect users to phishing sites that appear legitimate within the trusted network environment. The DNA component's role in processing dialer information and call analytics makes it particularly valuable to threat actors seeking to gather intelligence about communication patterns and user behaviors. Organizations using affected Cisco Unified Communications Manager versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to their telephony systems, potentially leading to eavesdropping, call manipulation, or broader network compromise. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems from outside the network perimeter, making traditional network segmentation measures insufficient for protection. This weakness directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of communication data, violating security principles that protect against unauthorized access and data manipulation in enterprise environments. The potential for lateral movement within the network increases as attackers can use compromised sessions to access additional system resources and escalate their privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3315 should focus on immediate patch application and enhanced input validation controls. Cisco released security updates addressing this vulnerability, and organizations must apply these patches promptly to eliminate the risk of exploitation. Network administrators should implement additional security measures including web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious XSS payloads, input validation rules that sanitize all user-supplied data, and output encoding mechanisms that prevent script execution in web contexts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should verify that the implemented controls effectively prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the communication infrastructure. Access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure to the vulnerable endpoint, and monitoring systems should be deployed to detect suspicious activities targeting the DNA component. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing comprehensive security monitoring across all network components. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training for administrators to recognize potential exploitation attempts and maintain proper incident response procedures for handling security breaches. The remediation process must include thorough testing to ensure that security patches do not negatively impact legitimate system functionality while maintaining the integrity of the communication platform's essential services.