CVE-2016-1310 in Unity Connection
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Cisco Unity Connection 11.5(0.199) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL, aka Bug ID CSCuy09033.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1310 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco Unity Connection version 11.5(0.199), specifically categorized under CWE-79 as improper neutralization of input during web output. This vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data or system compromise. The flaw resides in how the application processes and renders user-supplied URL parameters without adequate sanitization or encoding mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of crafted URLs that contain malicious script payloads. When a victim clicks on such a malicious link or navigates to a specially crafted web page, the Cisco Unity Connection application fails to properly escape or filter the input parameters before rendering them in the web interface. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code that executes within the victim's browser context, potentially stealing session cookies, performing unauthorized actions, or redirecting users to malicious sites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates entirely within the web application layer without requiring any privileged access or authentication.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1310 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the targeted environment. Successful exploitation can lead to complete session hijacking, where attackers gain unauthorized access to user accounts with full privileges within the Cisco Unity Connection system. This could result in unauthorized access to voicemail messages, contact information, and potentially escalate to broader network compromise. The vulnerability affects the web-based management interface of the Unity Connection system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard web browsers without requiring specialized tools or deep technical knowledge. Organizations using this version of Cisco Unity Connection face significant risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to their communication systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1310 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Cisco Unity Connection systems to the latest available security releases. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom web applications. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection, while regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential injection points. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering through malicious links, and organizations should enhance their user awareness training to recognize suspicious URL patterns. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and regular monitoring of web application logs can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while maintaining up-to-date vulnerability management processes ensures prompt response to similar future threats.