CVE-2015-6390 in Unity Connection
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the management interface in Cisco Unity Connection 9.1(1.10) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted value in a URL, aka Bug ID CSCup92741.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-6390 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco Unity Connection 9.1(1.10) management interface. This vulnerability specifically affects the web-based administrative console that organizations use to configure and manage their unified communications systems. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts against unsuspecting users who interact with the compromised management interface, creating a significant security risk for enterprise communications environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of URL parameters within the management interface. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing crafted script code that gets executed when the targeted user accesses the malformed page. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application layer of Cisco Unity Connection. When the application processes these malformed URL values without proper sanitization, it inadvertently executes the injected script code within the user's browser context, allowing attackers to perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to complete session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the targeted environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially access sensitive configuration data, modify system settings, or gain unauthorized administrative access to the Unity Connection system. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the network or system, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with remote management capabilities. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that has been consistently identified as one of the top ten web application security risks.
The attack vector for this vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK framework under T1566 - Phishing and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers leverage web-based attacks to deliver malicious payloads. The vulnerability affects the availability and integrity of the unified communications system, potentially disrupting business continuity and exposing sensitive corporate communications. Organizations using Cisco Unity Connection are particularly vulnerable as this flaw impacts the core management functionality that administrators rely upon for system configuration and monitoring.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-6390 should include immediate deployment of Cisco's official security patches and updates. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the management interface, enforce strict access controls, and monitor for suspicious URL patterns in web logs. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive security testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in system functionality, while also conducting regular security assessments to identify and address similar weaknesses in other components of the communications infrastructure.