CVE-2015-0599 in Unified Computing System
Summary
by MITRE
The web interface in Cisco Integrated Management Controller in Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) on C-Series Rack Servers does not properly restrict use of IFRAME elements, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct clickjacking attacks and unspecified other attacks via a crafted web site, related to a "cross-frame scripting (XFS)" issue, aka Bug ID CSCuf50138.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0599 resides within the web interface of Cisco Integrated Management Controller (IMC) found in Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) deployments on C-Series Rack Servers. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the web-based management interface that governs server hardware configuration and monitoring capabilities. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the improper restriction of IFRAME element usage, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through crafted web content. The issue is classified as a cross-frame scripting vulnerability, which fundamentally undermines the security boundaries that should separate legitimate administrative interfaces from potentially harmful external content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the web interface's failure to properly validate and sanitize IFRAME directives within its user-facing components. When a malicious actor crafts a specially designed web page, they can leverage the vulnerable IFRAME functionality to overlay legitimate administrative interface elements with deceptive content. This creates a clickjacking scenario where unsuspecting administrators might inadvertently perform actions on the vulnerable system while believing they are interacting with benign content. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the web server component that serves administrative interfaces, and can be exploited through standard web browsers without requiring specialized tools or elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple clickjacking attacks, as it provides attackers with multiple potential attack vectors for compromising the targeted UCS infrastructure. An attacker could potentially manipulate administrative sessions, steal authentication tokens, or perform unauthorized configuration changes that could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the management interface, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive server configuration data and operational controls. This represents a significant risk to enterprise environments where UCS systems manage critical infrastructure components, as the compromise of management interfaces often leads to broader network infiltration opportunities.
Organizations affected by CVE-2015-0599 should implement immediate mitigations including applying Cisco's official security patches and updates to resolve the cross-frame scripting vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the vulnerable management interfaces to untrusted networks. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing browser security policies that restrict IFRAME usage and enable Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized frame embedding. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and establish monitoring procedures to detect anomalous administrative access patterns that might indicate successful exploitation of this vulnerability.