CVE-2014-8030 in WebEx Meetings Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in sendPwMail.do in Cisco WebEx Meetings Server allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the email parameter, aka Bug ID CSCuj40381.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8030 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Cisco WebEx Meetings Server's sendPwMail.do component. This vulnerability resides within the email parameter processing functionality, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected user sessions. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied email addresses before processing them within the web application's response. The vulnerability specifically affects Cisco WebEx Meetings Server versions prior to 2.5.1, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of WebEx for enterprise collaboration and communication. The flaw enables attackers to craft malicious email addresses containing script payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable server, get executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users who interact with the affected functionality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the standard XSS attack pattern where an attacker crafts a malicious email parameter containing embedded script code such as javascript:alert(document.cookie) or other malicious payloads. When the sendPwMail.do servlet processes this input without proper sanitization, the script gets embedded in the server's response and subsequently executed within the victim's browser context. This creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious sites, or execute arbitrary code within the user's browser environment. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious script is reflected back to the user through the server's response, rather than being stored on the server itself. This aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-8030 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with significant privileges within the WebEx environment. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to access sensitive meeting data, steal user credentials, manipulate meeting schedules, or gain unauthorized access to corporate communication channels. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where WebEx is used for sensitive business meetings, as it could lead to corporate espionage or data breaches. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access within organizations, especially if they can target key personnel or administrators who frequently use WebEx services. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to user privacy, as it allows attackers to access personal email addresses and potentially other user information stored within the WebEx system. Organizations using Cisco WebEx Meetings Server without proper mitigations face potential exposure to advanced persistent threats that could compromise their entire communication infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8030 primarily focus on immediate patch deployment and input validation enhancements. Cisco released security updates addressing this vulnerability in WebEx Meetings Server version 2.5.1 and later, which should be deployed immediately across all affected systems. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers including web application firewalls, application-level sanitization, and output encoding mechanisms. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution even if the vulnerability is not fully patched. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar issues within their WebEx deployments and other collaboration platforms. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566 for credential access and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, highlighting the multi-faceted threat landscape this vulnerability creates. Additionally, organizations should implement user education programs to recognize phishing attempts that might leverage this vulnerability and establish monitoring procedures to detect unusual patterns in WebEx usage that could indicate exploitation attempts.