CVE-2015-0724 in Headend Digital Broadband Delivery System
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in dncs 7.0.0.12 in Cisco Headend Digital Broadband Delivery System allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified parameters in a (1) GET or (2) POST request, aka Bug ID CSCur25604.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2015-0724 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Cisco Headend Digital Broadband Delivery System version 7.0.0.12, specifically affecting the dncs component. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a widespread and dangerous web application security flaw that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability was identified through Cisco's internal bug tracking system under the identifier CSCur25604, indicating it was recognized as a significant security concern within the vendor's own assessment framework.
The technical flaw manifests when the system fails to properly validate or sanitize user input parameters received through HTTP GET or POST requests. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that contain script code within the unspecified parameters of the affected web application. When these parameters are processed by the vulnerable system and subsequently rendered in web responses without adequate sanitization, the injected scripts execute in the context of other users' browsers. This allows attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised user environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the network ecosystem. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code in users' browsers, potentially accessing sensitive information, modifying data, or redirecting users to malicious websites. The vulnerability affects the broader Cisco Headend Digital Broadband Delivery System, which typically serves as a critical component in broadcast and cable network infrastructure, making it particularly concerning for service providers who rely on these systems for content delivery and network management. The fact that both GET and POST request methods are vulnerable increases the attack surface and makes exploitation more likely, as different application interfaces can be targeted.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigations including input validation, output encoding, and proper parameter sanitization across all web interfaces within the affected system. The implementation of Content Security Policies and proper web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection against such attacks. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their network infrastructure, particularly focusing on legacy systems that may be running vulnerable versions of Cisco software. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following the principle of least privilege in network management systems. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns indicative of XSS attack attempts, as the attack vectors for such vulnerabilities often involve automated scanning tools that can rapidly identify and exploit these weaknesses across multiple systems.
The vulnerability demonstrates the persistent nature of XSS flaws in network infrastructure systems and underscores the need for robust security practices throughout the software development lifecycle. Given that this vulnerability affects a system designed for digital broadband delivery, it represents a significant risk to the integrity of broadcast networks and the privacy of users within those networks. The attack surface for such vulnerabilities in network infrastructure is particularly concerning as these systems often have limited monitoring and may not receive the same security attention as publicly-facing web applications, making them attractive targets for adversaries seeking to establish persistent access within network environments.