CVE-2015-0729 in Secure Access Control Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Cisco Secure Access Control Server Solution Engine (ACSE) 5.5(0.1) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a file-inclusion attack, aka Bug ID CSCuu11005.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0729 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco Secure Access Control Server Solution Engine version 5.5(0.1) that enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML content. This vulnerability specifically manifests through file-inclusion attack vectors, allowing adversaries to manipulate the system's handling of user-supplied input during file processing operations. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the ACSE platform's file handling routines, creating an exploitable condition where malicious payloads can be injected and subsequently executed in the context of affected user sessions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as a code injection attack that occurs when an application includes untrusted data in a web page without proper validation or encoding. The flaw exists in the ACSE's processing of file inclusion operations where user-controllable parameters are not adequately sanitized before being rendered in web responses. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious input that gets processed through the vulnerable file inclusion mechanism, resulting in the execution of arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser context. The vulnerability specifically affects the Solution Engine component of Cisco Secure Access Control Server, which is designed to provide network access control and authentication services in enterprise environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0729 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, redirect victims to malicious websites, or execute further attacks within the compromised environment. The remote nature of the exploitation means that attackers do not require physical access to the network or direct system interaction to exploit this vulnerability. This weakness can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where the ACSE serves as a critical access control point, potentially allowing unauthorized users to bypass authentication mechanisms or escalate privileges within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Cisco's secure access control solutions for network security enforcement, creating potential pathways for persistent threats to establish footholds within protected network segments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Cisco's security patches and updates released to address this vulnerability, implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious payloads, and conducting thorough input validation across all user-facing interfaces. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file inclusion patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation strategy should include comprehensive security testing of the ACSE platform, particularly focusing on input validation mechanisms and file handling processes. Additionally, security awareness training should be implemented to help administrators recognize potential exploitation indicators and maintain proper system hygiene through regular patch management and vulnerability assessment procedures. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding in web applications, principles that align with defensive techniques recommended in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for web application exploitation and credential access phases.