CVE-2016-1309 in WebEx Meetings Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Cisco WebEx Meetings Server 2.5.1.5 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified parameters, aka Bug ID CSCuy01843.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2022
Cisco WebEx Meetings Server version 2.5.1.5 contains multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that represent a critical security weakness in the platform's input validation mechanisms. These vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, where the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into web responses. The specific flaw allows remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information or account compromise.
The vulnerability exists due to insufficient validation of parameters within the WebEx Meetings Server application, enabling attackers to inject malicious HTML code through unspecified input vectors. This weakness permits the execution of arbitrary web scripts and HTML content, which can be exploited to hijack user sessions, steal authentication tokens, or redirect users to malicious websites. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects the core meeting server functionality, potentially compromising all users interacting with the platform.
From an operational perspective, these XSS vulnerabilities pose significant risks to organizations relying on Cisco WebEx for secure video conferencing and collaboration. Attackers can leverage these flaws to perform session hijacking attacks, where they intercept and manipulate user sessions to gain unauthorized access to meeting resources. The impact extends beyond simple script injection, as successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of user accounts and potential lateral movement within corporate networks. The vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where WebEx is used for sensitive business communications and confidential meetings.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Cisco's security patches and updates addressing the identified vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement robust input validation mechanisms and output encoding to prevent malicious content from being executed within browser contexts. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers. The ATT&CK framework categorizes these vulnerabilities under T1566 - Phishing and T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security measures including user education about suspicious web content and regular security assessments. Regular security monitoring and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The remediation process must include thorough testing of patches to ensure they do not disrupt existing WebEx functionality while providing adequate protection against XSS attacks.