CVE-2015-4294 in Cisco
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Cisco IM and Presence Service before 10.5 MR1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML by constructing a crafted URL that leverages incomplete filtering of HTML elements, aka Bug ID CSCut41766.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4294 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco's IM and Presence Service software, specifically affecting versions prior to 10.5 MR1. This vulnerability exposes organizations utilizing Cisco's unified communications infrastructure to significant security risks through malicious web script injection attacks. The flaw stems from inadequate HTML element filtering mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied input within URL parameters, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote threat actors to execute arbitrary code within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic incomplete filtering attack pattern that aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws resulting from insufficient input validation and output encoding. The vulnerability occurs when the IM and Presence Service processes crafted URLs containing malicious HTML elements without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to construct malicious payloads that bypass existing security controls. This incomplete filtering approach creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can embed script tags, event handlers, or other malicious HTML constructs within the URL parameters that are subsequently rendered by vulnerable client applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4294 extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform sophisticated attacks through the established ATT&CK framework's initial access and execution phases. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access through malicious redirects, deliver malware payloads, or manipulate user interfaces to capture credentials and sensitive information. The vulnerability affects the core communication infrastructure of organizations, potentially allowing attackers to intercept instant messaging conversations, manipulate presence status information, and compromise the integrity of real-time communication services that many enterprises depend upon for business continuity.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-supplied patches and updates for Cisco IM and Presence Service to version 10.5 MR1 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for the HTML filtering deficiencies. Network segmentation and web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and filter traffic containing suspicious URL patterns, while security awareness training should emphasize the importance of avoiding suspicious links and maintaining updated software versions. Additionally, implementing proper input validation controls and output encoding mechanisms within the application layer provides defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities, with regular security assessments ensuring that other components within the unified communications infrastructure remain secure against similar attack vectors.