CVE-2015-0727 in Security Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the HTTP module in Cisco Security Manager (CSM) 4.7(0)SP1(1) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL, aka Bug ID CSCut27789.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0727 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco Security Manager version 4.7(0)SP1(1) affecting its HTTP module. This vulnerability exposes the system to remote code execution risks where malicious actors can inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content through specially crafted URLs. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the HTTP processing components of the security management platform, creating an attack vector that can be exploited without authentication from remote locations. The vulnerability was catalogued under Bug ID CSCut27789, indicating its recognition within Cisco's internal tracking systems and highlighting the severity of the potential impact on network security infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when the HTTP module fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input parameters within URL structures. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing script tags or other HTML elements that get executed in the context of legitimate users' browsers who access the vulnerable Cisco Security Manager interface. This flaw specifically targets the HTTP module's handling of web requests, where input validation mechanisms are inadequate to prevent malicious payload injection. The vulnerability allows for persistent or reflected XSS attacks, potentially enabling attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The flaw demonstrates a classic weakness in web application security where insufficient sanitization of user input leads to unauthorized script execution in the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0727 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially compromising the entire security management infrastructure of organizations relying on Cisco Security Manager. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to access sensitive network configuration data, manipulate security policies, or establish persistent access points within the network environment. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the security management platform, potentially allowing unauthorized personnel to gain elevated privileges or bypass security controls. Organizations using this version of Cisco Security Manager face significant risks including data breaches, unauthorized network access, and potential compromise of security monitoring capabilities. The impact is particularly severe given that Cisco Security Manager serves as a critical component for network security policy enforcement and monitoring, making this vulnerability a prime target for sophisticated attack campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0727 should prioritize immediate implementation of Cisco's official security patches and updates released to address the XSS vulnerability. Organizations must ensure all instances of Cisco Security Manager 4.7(0)SP1(1) are upgraded to versions containing the necessary fixes, as the vulnerability remains exploitable until proper patching occurs. Network administrators should implement additional defensive measures including web application firewalls, input validation rules, and enhanced monitoring of HTTP traffic for suspicious URL patterns. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script injection attacks, while regular security assessments should verify that no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the web application stack. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages, emphasizing the need for comprehensive application security controls and regular vulnerability assessment procedures to prevent exploitation of such critical flaws in enterprise security infrastructure.