CVE-2014-8021 in AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client 3.1(.02043) and earlier and Cisco HostScan Engine 3.1(.05183) and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors involving an applet-path URL, aka Bug IDs CSCup82990 and CSCuq80149.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/10/2024
The CVE-2014-8021 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Cisco's enterprise security infrastructure, specifically targeting the AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client and HostScan Engine components. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the application's handling of applet-path URLs, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content into the affected systems. The vulnerability impacts versions 3.1.02043 and earlier of AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client, as well as versions 3.1.05183 and earlier of the HostScan Engine, making it a widespread concern across numerous enterprise deployments that rely on Cisco's secure remote access solutions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted applet-path URLs that bypass the application's security controls during URL processing. When the vulnerable client or engine processes these malformed URLs, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before rendering it within the web interface context. This failure creates a persistent XSS vector where attacker-controlled scripts can execute within the security context of the victim's browser session, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized administrative actions. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in input validation and output encoding mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-8021 extends beyond simple script injection, as it represents a significant threat to enterprise security infrastructure. Organizations utilizing Cisco AnyConnect and HostScan components face potential compromise of their remote access security posture, where attackers could exploit this vulnerability to establish persistent access to corporate networks. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or network proximity to the target systems, making it particularly dangerous in environments where these clients are deployed across distributed networks. This flaw directly violates security principles outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, particularly concerning the protection of system integrity and the prevention of unauthorized access to sensitive network resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8021 should focus on immediate patch management and network segmentation approaches. Organizations must prioritize updating to patched versions of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client and HostScan Engine, as Cisco released security advisories specifically addressing this vulnerability. Network administrators should also implement additional defensive measures such as web application firewalls, input validation rules, and monitoring for suspicious URL patterns. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages, and defensive measures should incorporate the principles of least privilege access and regular security assessments as recommended by ISO/IEC 27001 standards. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected systems within their network infrastructure that may be running vulnerable versions of these Cisco security components.