CVE-2016-1401 in Unified Computing System
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the management interface in Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) Central Software 1.4(1a) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted value, aka Bug ID CSCuy91250.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2022
The CVE-2016-1401 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Cisco Unified Computing System UCS Central Software version 1.4(1a). This vulnerability specifically targets the management interface of the UCS Central software, which serves as a centralized management platform for Cisco UCS environments. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of authenticated user sessions, potentially compromising the entire management infrastructure. The vulnerability was identified and documented under the Bug ID CSCuy91250, highlighting its significance within Cisco's internal tracking systems.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the management interface components of the UCS Central software. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious payloads through carefully crafted input values that are then processed and displayed without proper sanitization. The vulnerability occurs when user-supplied data is directly incorporated into web page content without adequate escaping or encoding mechanisms, allowing the injected scripts to execute in the browser context of legitimate users who access the affected management interface. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1401 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal administrative credentials, and potentially gain unauthorized access to the entire UCS infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could manipulate the management interface to perform unauthorized actions, modify system configurations, or redirect users to malicious websites. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the network or direct system interaction, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where centralized management systems are critical for infrastructure operations. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting and T1566.001 for spearphishing with attachments, as the attack vector involves web-based exploitation of management interfaces.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by Cisco, which typically address the input validation gaps that enable the XSS exploitation. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit exposure of the management interface to trusted networks only, while implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Regular security assessments of management interfaces should be conducted to identify similar input validation vulnerabilities, and comprehensive user training should emphasize the importance of recognizing suspicious web content. The remediation process should also include monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and implementing proper logging mechanisms to detect exploitation attempts. According to industry best practices for vulnerability management, organizations should prioritize patching this class of vulnerability as part of their regular security maintenance procedures, as the attack surface of management interfaces makes them prime targets for sophisticated adversaries seeking persistent access to enterprise infrastructure.