CVE-2016-1485 in Identity Services Engine
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Cisco Identity Services Engine 1.3(0.876) allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via crafted parameters, aka Bug ID CSCva46497.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1485 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco Identity Services Engine version 1.3(0.876) that enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through the manipulation of crafted parameters. This vulnerability specifically affects the authentication and authorization services provided by the Identity Services Engine platform, which serves as a central component for network access control and user authentication in enterprise environments. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the web interface components of the software, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive network resources.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when the system fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input parameters that are subsequently reflected back to users within the web interface. Attackers can craft malicious payloads containing JavaScript code or HTML tags that, when processed by the vulnerable application, execute in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected pages. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and more precisely aligns with CWE-79-2 which deals with reflected cross-site scripting. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various vectors including web browser interactions, email links, or any mechanism that leads users to access the vulnerable web interface components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, redirect victims to malicious websites, or even execute arbitrary commands within the context of the affected application. In enterprise environments where the Identity Services Engine manages critical network access controls, successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized network access, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on Cisco ISE for authentication services, as compromised user sessions could provide attackers with access to network resources that would otherwise be protected by proper authentication mechanisms. This risk is amplified in environments where the ISE platform serves as a central authentication point for multiple network segments and services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1485 should include immediate implementation of Cisco's security patches and updates, which address the input validation deficiencies in the affected software version. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability, while ensuring that all user input is properly sanitized and validated before processing. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, and security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of web interface access that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar input validation flaws in other web applications within the network infrastructure. Additionally, implementing proper security awareness training for administrators and users can help reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that might exploit this vulnerability through phishing or other user interaction-based vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers and other browser-based security mechanisms to provide additional protection against XSS attacks, aligning with defensive techniques recommended in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for web application attacks.