CVE-2015-0728 in Access Control Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Cisco Access Control Server (ACS) 5.5(0.1) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL, aka Bug ID CSCuu11002.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0728 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Cisco Access Control Server version 5.5(0.1). This security weakness resides within the web-based management interface of the access control system, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious code through manipulated web requests. The vulnerability specifically affects the server's handling of user-supplied input in URL parameters, which fails to properly sanitize or validate incoming data before processing. This flaw enables attackers to inject arbitrary HTML code or JavaScript payloads that can be executed in the context of other users' browsers who interact with the compromised system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code and delivers it to a victim who accesses the Cisco ACS web interface. The server processes this malformed input without adequate input validation, allowing the injected code to execute within the victim's browser session. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where applications fail to properly validate or escape user-controllable data. The attack vector operates entirely through web-based communication channels, requiring no local access or authentication to the system itself, making it particularly dangerous for network administrators who frequently access the web interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal administrative credentials, manipulate access control policies, or redirect users to malicious websites. Since the Cisco Access Control Server manages critical network access controls, successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to network resources, compromise user authentication mechanisms, and potentially escalate privileges within the access control environment. The vulnerability affects the server's web administration interface, which is typically accessible from external networks, increasing the attack surface and making the system more susceptible to exploitation by remote threat actors. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing) and T1059.007 (Scripting) techniques, as attackers can leverage the XSS flaw to deliver malicious scripts to targeted users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0728 should focus on immediate patching of the affected Cisco ACS version, as well as implementing additional security controls to reduce the attack surface. Organizations should apply the vendor-provided security patches and updates that address the input validation flaws in the web interface. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to the ACS management interface, while strong authentication mechanisms including multi-factor authentication should be enforced. Input validation controls should be enhanced at the application level to sanitize all user-supplied data, particularly URL parameters and form inputs. Regular security monitoring and web application firewalls can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators can reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that might leverage this vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads to unsuspecting users.