CVE-2016-1449 in WebEx Meetings Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Cisco WebEx Meetings Server 2.6 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL, aka Bug ID CSCuy92711.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1449 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco WebEx Meetings Server version 2.6, exposing organizations to significant security risks through remote code execution via malicious web content injection. This vulnerability specifically affects the server's handling of user-supplied input in URL parameters, creating an attack vector that allows remote adversaries to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code into web pages viewed by other users. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the WebEx Meetings Server's web interface, which fails to properly sanitize or escape user-provided data before rendering it in web responses.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a code injection flaw occurring when untrusted data is embedded into web pages without proper validation or encoding. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs containing script payloads that, when executed in a victim's browser, can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing unauthorized commands on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector means that no local access or authentication is required for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on WebEx for collaborative meetings and video conferencing.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1449 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it can enable sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, credential theft, and potential lateral movement within compromised networks. When users access maliciously crafted URLs, the injected scripts can capture sensitive information including authentication tokens, personal data, or meeting credentials that could be transmitted to attacker-controlled servers. This vulnerability particularly threatens organizations using WebEx Meetings Server for business-critical communications, as successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to confidential meetings, intellectual property theft, or disruption of business operations. The attack surface is broad since any user who clicks on a malicious link within the WebEx environment could become compromised, potentially affecting thousands of users across an organization.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, including immediate patching of affected WebEx Meetings Server installations to the latest security releases from Cisco. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional protection by monitoring and filtering malicious traffic patterns. Browser security settings should be enhanced through the implementation of Content Security Policy headers and XSS protection mechanisms. Regular security awareness training for users can help prevent accidental clicks on malicious links, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script execution and T1566 for spearphishing with attachments, indicating that this flaw could be leveraged as part of broader attack campaigns targeting enterprise environments.