CVE-2016-1311 in Jabber Guest Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the management interface in Cisco Jabber Guest Server 10.6(8) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the host tag parameter, aka Bug ID CSCuy08224.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2022
The Cisco Jabber Guest Server version 10.6(8) contains a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects its management interface. This flaw resides in the handling of the host tag parameter, which fails to properly sanitize user input before processing. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions, potentially compromising the entire system. The issue was identified and documented under Bug ID CSCuy08224, highlighting the severity of the flaw in enterprise communication platforms. This vulnerability represents a significant security risk as it allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and manipulate the server's administrative interface.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the management interface components. When the system processes the host tag parameter, it does not adequately filter or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that contain script tags or other executable code, which then gets stored or reflected in the server's response. The vulnerability affects the server's ability to distinguish between legitimate user input and potentially harmful code, creating an execution environment where attacker-controlled scripts can run with the privileges of authenticated users. This flaw specifically targets the server's administrative interface, making it particularly dangerous as it could provide attackers with elevated access to system configurations and user data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable a range of malicious activities within the compromised environment. Attackers could potentially steal session cookies, modify server configurations, access sensitive user information, or even establish persistent backdoors within the network. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the Jabber Guest Server's management functions, potentially allowing unauthorized access to guest user accounts and their associated permissions. Organizations using this server version face significant risks including data breaches, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or local network presence.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the affected Cisco Jabber Guest Server version 10.6(8) to the latest available release that addresses the XSS flaw. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms at all levels of the application stack, ensuring that user-supplied data is properly sanitized before processing. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the management interface to only authorized personnel. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in the host tag parameter usage, and regular security audits should verify that all input fields are properly validated. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. The flaw aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and represents a technique commonly used in the attacker's playbook as categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.1001 for command and scripting interpreter. Organizations should also consider implementing regular security training for administrators to recognize and respond to potential XSS attack vectors.