CVE-2015-4292 in Prime Central for Hosted Collaboration Solution
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the management interface in Cisco Prime Central for Hosted Collaboration Solution (PC4HCS) 10.6(2) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via an unspecified value, aka Bug ID CSCuv45818.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2015-4292 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Cisco Prime Central for Hosted Collaboration Solution version 10.6(2) management interface. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically targeting the web application layer where user input is improperly validated or sanitized before being rendered back to users. The flaw exists within the administrative console of the PC4HCS platform, which serves as the central management interface for hosted collaboration services. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious scripts or HTML code through an unspecified input parameter, potentially compromising the integrity of the management interface and the systems it controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the PC4HCS management interface. When legitimate users interact with the system through the administrative console, certain input fields or parameters fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing or displaying it. This lack of proper sanitization creates an environment where malicious actors can inject script code that executes in the context of other users' browsers who access the compromised interface. The unspecified nature of the vulnerable parameter suggests that multiple input vectors within the management console may be susceptible to this attack, making the exploitation surface broader than initially apparent. The vulnerability specifically affects the web-based management interface, meaning that successful exploitation requires attackers to gain access to the administrative console through legitimate authentication mechanisms or by exploiting other initial access vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4292 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially steal administrative credentials, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, or redirect users to malicious websites. The management interface typically contains critical system information and control mechanisms, making it a prime target for attackers seeking persistent access to the hosted collaboration solution. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged as a stepping stone for further attacks within the network infrastructure, particularly if the management interface has access to other systems or services within the same network domain. The impact is particularly concerning given that this vulnerability affects a centralized management solution that likely oversees multiple collaboration services and endpoints.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations to protect their Cisco Prime Central for Hosted Collaboration Solution environments. The most effective approach involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates released to address this specific XSS flaw. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring and filtering suspicious traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and input validation reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system. Access controls and authentication mechanisms should be strengthened to limit the attack surface, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access the management interface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential harvesting, which are commonly associated with XSS exploitation scenarios. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns in management interfaces, as these vulnerabilities often serve as initial access points for more sophisticated attacks within enterprise environments.