CVE-2015-4270 in FireSIGHT System Software
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Cisco FireSIGHT System Software 5.3.1.5 and 6.0.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL, aka Bug IDs CSCuv22557, CSCuv22583, CSCuv22632, CSCuv22641, CSCuv22650, CSCuv22662, CSCuv22697, and CSCuv22702.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-4270 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting Cisco FireSIGHT System Software versions 5.3.1.5 and 6.0.0. This flaw resides within the web-based management interface of the security appliance, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious scripts against unsuspecting users who interact with compromised web pages. The vulnerability manifests through multiple bug identifiers including CSCuv22557, CSCuv22583, CSCuv22632, CSCuv22641, CSCuv22650, CSCuv22662, CSCuv22697, and CSCuv22702, indicating a systemic issue in the software's input validation mechanisms. These vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical weakness in web application security that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input within the FireSIGHT management interface. Attackers can craft specially crafted URLs containing malicious script code that, when processed by the vulnerable software, gets executed in the context of the victim's browser session. This occurs because the software fails to properly validate and escape special characters in URL parameters before rendering them in web responses. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as these vulnerabilities can be leveraged to perform session hijacking, steal authentication tokens, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft or data exfiltration. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the network or direct system interaction, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on web-based management interfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4270 is substantial for organizations utilizing Cisco FireSIGHT systems, as it compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the security infrastructure itself. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive network monitoring data, manipulate security policies, or establish persistent access points within the network perimeter. The vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can undermine the trust model that security appliances are designed to maintain. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues if sensitive data is compromised through this vector, particularly in environments governed by standards such as iso 27001 or pci dss. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the FireSIGHT system serves as a critical security component that monitors and controls network traffic, making successful exploitation potentially catastrophic for network security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4270 should include immediate deployment of Cisco's official security patches and updates addressing the identified XSS vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the FireSIGHT management interface, restrict administrative access through multi-factor authentication, and establish robust monitoring for suspicious URL patterns or script injection attempts. The implementation of web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify any potential exploitation of this vulnerability in their specific network environments. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript and T1566.001 Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, highlighting the need for both technical and user awareness-based defenses. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be reinforced to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future, as this issue demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls in network infrastructure devices.