CVE-2015-6374 in Firepower Extensible Operating System
Summary
by MITRE
The web interface in Cisco Firepower Extensible Operating System 1.1(1.160) on Firepower 9000 devices does not properly restrict use of IFRAME elements, which makes it easier for remote attackers to conduct clickjacking attacks and unspecified other attacks via a crafted web site, aka Bug ID CSCux10604.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6374 affects the Cisco Firepower Extensible Operating System version 1.1(1.160) running on Firepower 9000 series devices. This security flaw resides within the web interface implementation and represents a critical weakness in the device's user authentication and session management mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of IFRAME element usage within the web interface, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through crafted web content. The affected device operates as a network security appliance designed to provide advanced threat prevention and network security services, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise security infrastructure.
The technical implementation flaw involves the web interface's failure to properly sanitize or restrict IFRAME elements that could be embedded in malicious web pages. This weakness allows attackers to create deceptive web interfaces that overlay legitimate device management pages with hidden malicious content, enabling clickjacking attacks where users unknowingly interact with malicious elements while believing they are performing legitimate administrative tasks. The vulnerability specifically affects the device's web-based management interface, which is typically accessed through standard HTTP/HTTPS protocols. The lack of proper IFRAME restrictions means that the device's web interface does not adequately validate or filter embedded content, creating an attack surface that can be exploited through cross-site scripting or user interaction techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple clickjacking attacks, as it potentially enables multiple attack vectors including unauthorized administrative access, data manipulation, and privilege escalation within the network security infrastructure. Attackers can craft malicious websites that appear legitimate to users while containing hidden IFRAME elements that interact with the vulnerable Firepower 9000 device interface. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on these devices for network security, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to bypass security controls, modify device configurations, or gain unauthorized access to network monitoring and control functions. The vulnerability affects the device's ability to maintain secure session boundaries and user authentication integrity, potentially compromising the entire security posture of networks protected by the affected appliance.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of the Cisco Firepower Extensible Operating System, applying the relevant security patches released by Cisco, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to the vulnerable web interface. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring network traffic for suspicious IFRAME usage patterns and implementing web application firewalls to filter potentially malicious content. Additionally, administrators should consider disabling unnecessary web interface access, implementing strong access controls, and conducting regular security assessments of network security infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-1021, which describes improper restriction of potentially dangerous HTML tags, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation may involve automated attack vectors targeting the web interface. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure web interface design in enterprise security appliances and highlights the need for comprehensive input validation and output encoding in all user-facing components of network security devices.