CVE-2016-1451 in Meeting Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the web-based management interface in Cisco Meeting Server (formerly Acano Conferencing Server) 1.7 through 1.9 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via crafted parameters, aka Bug ID CSCva19922.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1451 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco Meeting Server's web-based management interface. This issue affects versions 1.7 through 1.9 of the software, which was previously known as Acano Conferencing Server. The vulnerability resides in the server's handling of user-supplied input within the web interface, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code. The flaw specifically manifests when the system fails to properly sanitize or validate input parameters that are subsequently rendered in the web interface without adequate encoding or filtering mechanisms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or encoding. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious parameters and submitting them through the web-based management interface. These crafted inputs are then processed and displayed within the user's browser session, enabling the execution of malicious scripts. The vulnerability is classified as remote because attackers do not require physical access or local privileges to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the management interface is accessible over the internet.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities. Successful exploitation could allow unauthorized users to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive authentication credentials, access confidential meeting data, or even gain administrative privileges within the conferencing environment. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Cisco Meeting Server for their video conferencing infrastructure, potentially compromising the security of their communication systems and exposing sensitive business information. In enterprise environments, this could lead to significant data breaches, loss of intellectual property, and disruption of critical business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1451 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, as Cisco released security updates to address this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the management interface, restrict access through firewalls, and employ web application firewalls to filter suspicious requests. Additional defensive measures include regular security assessments, input validation enforcement, and user education regarding the risks of clicking on suspicious links or providing credentials to untrusted sources. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security framework. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive incident response procedures to address any successful attacks. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for secure coding practices and regular security updates in collaborative communication platforms that handle sensitive business data.