CVE-2016-1306 in Fog Director
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Cisco Fog Director 1.0(0) allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted parameter, aka Bug ID CSCux80466.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2018
Cisco Fog Director version 1.0(0) contains multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that represent a critical security risk for organizations deploying this network management solution. These vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting and enable remote attackers to execute malicious code within the context of a victim's browser session. The specific bug identified as CSCux80466 demonstrates how insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms in the web interface create persistent attack vectors that can be exploited without requiring authentication or privileged access. The vulnerabilities arise from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before incorporating them into dynamically generated web content, creating an environment where malicious scripts can be injected and executed in the browser of unsuspecting users.
The technical exploitation of these XSS vulnerabilities occurs when attackers craft malicious parameters and submit them to the vulnerable Fog Director web interface. The application processes these inputs without adequate sanitization, allowing the injected scripts to be stored and subsequently executed whenever legitimate users access the affected pages. This type of vulnerability enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious websites. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as these vulnerabilities can be leveraged to establish persistent backdoors within the network management environment, potentially compromising the security of the entire connected infrastructure. The remote nature of these attacks means that threat actors can exploit the vulnerabilities from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the network or the Fog Director appliance itself.
Organizations utilizing Cisco Fog Director 1.0(0) face significant operational risks from these vulnerabilities, as they create potential entry points for advanced persistent threats targeting network management systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Fog Director serves as a centralized management platform for IoT and edge devices, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking to establish long-term access to network infrastructure. The vulnerabilities align with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through social engineering, as attackers can use the XSS flaws to steal user credentials and session tokens. Additionally, these flaws support techniques for privilege escalation and lateral movement within the network by enabling attackers to manipulate the web interface and potentially gain unauthorized access to other managed devices. The lack of proper input validation creates cascading security implications that can compromise the integrity of the entire network management ecosystem.
The recommended mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of Cisco's official security patches and updates that address the specific XSS flaws in Fog Director 1.0(0). Organizations should implement web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Input validation and output encoding mechanisms should be strengthened throughout the application to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future deployments. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify additional potential attack vectors within the network management infrastructure. The remediation process should also include user education and awareness programs to help identify potential phishing attempts that may leverage these vulnerabilities. Organizations should maintain detailed monitoring of web application logs and implement intrusion detection systems to identify anomalous behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of content security policies and secure coding practices should be enforced to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future development cycles and ensure compliance with industry security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.