CVE-2015-0752 in TelePresence Video Communication Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Server (VCS) X8.5.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL, aka Bug ID CSCut27635.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0752 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Server version X8.5.1. This security weakness resides in the VCS platform's handling of user-supplied input through URL parameters, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute malicious code within the context of authenticated users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically affects the video communication server's web interface, which serves as the primary management and configuration point for telepresence systems deployed in enterprise environments. The bug identifier CSCut27635 highlights the specific nature of this flaw within Cisco's internal tracking systems, indicating it was recognized and documented by the vendor's security team.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the VCS web application framework. When users navigate to a specially crafted URL containing malicious script payloads, the server fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before rendering it in the browser context. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code that executes in the victim's browser session. The flaw typically manifests when the application processes URL parameters without sufficient sanitization, enabling attackers to manipulate the server's response to include malicious content that persists in the user interface. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise settings where multiple users interact with the VCS management interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. In enterprise telepresence environments, this could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive communication systems, data exfiltration, or disruption of critical video conferencing services. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Cisco VCS for managing their video communication infrastructure, potentially compromising the security of entire communication networks. Attackers could leverage this flaw to gain persistent access to the management interface, modify system configurations, or establish backdoors within the organization's video infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet, without requiring physical access to the network or systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Cisco, which would address the input validation deficiencies in the VCS web interface. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the VCS management interface to trusted networks only. Web application firewalls can provide additional protection by filtering suspicious URL parameters and detecting known XSS attack patterns. Regular security assessments of the VCS configuration should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages in the execution phase of the attack lifecycle. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and regular input validation testing to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of their telepresence infrastructure.