CVE-2016-1375 in IP Interoperability
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Cisco IP Interoperability and Collaboration System 4.10(1) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL, aka Bug ID CSCuy12339.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1375 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco's IP Interoperability and Collaboration System version 4.10(1). This system serves as a foundational platform for enterprise communication infrastructure, facilitating voice and video collaboration across various network environments. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the application's handling of user-supplied input within URL parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions. The bug was catalogued under the identifier CSCuy12339, highlighting its significance within Cisco's internal tracking systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of URL parameters that are not properly sanitized or validated by the system's input processing mechanisms. When a victim navigates to a maliciously crafted URL containing script code, the vulnerable application fails to adequately escape or filter the input before rendering it in the user's browser. This allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that can execute within the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized access to sensitive collaboration features. The flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical weakness in web application security. This weakness enables attackers to bypass the browser's same-origin policy and execute scripts in the context of the affected application, creating a vector for various advanced persistent threats.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can compromise the integrity of the entire collaboration platform. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to manipulate user sessions, steal authentication tokens, or redirect users to malicious sites that appear legitimate within the trusted network environment. In enterprise settings where the Cisco IP Interoperability and Collaboration System handles sensitive business communications, this vulnerability could lead to significant data breaches, unauthorized access to voice and video conferencing systems, and potential disruption of critical business operations. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet, without requiring physical access to the network infrastructure. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically focusing on web shell execution through browser-based attacks, and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers can craft convincing URLs to lure victims into executing malicious code.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying Cisco's official security patches and updates, implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious URL parameters, and conducting thorough security assessments of their collaboration infrastructure. Network segmentation strategies should be employed to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while user education programs can help identify and avoid suspicious URLs. The remediation process should involve comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the vulnerability has been fully addressed without introducing regressions in functionality. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing input validation controls at multiple layers of their application architecture to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of their communication infrastructure, aligning with the principle of defense in depth as recommended by NIST cybersecurity frameworks.