CVE-2016-6418 in Videoscape Distribution Suite Service Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Cisco Videoscape Distribution Suite Service Manager (VDS-SM) 3.0 through 3.4.0 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted URL, aka Bug ID CSCva14552.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6418 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco Videoscape Distribution Suite Service Manager version 3.0 through 3.4.0. This security weakness resides in the web-based management interface of the VDS-SM platform, which is designed to manage and distribute video content across enterprise networks. The vulnerability specifically affects 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 technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of URL parameters that are not properly sanitized or validated by the VDS-SM application. When a user navigates to a specially crafted URL containing malicious script code, the application fails to adequately filter or escape the input before rendering it in the web interface. This allows attackers to inject JavaScript code that executes in the victim's browser when they access the malicious URL. The vulnerability is classified as a classic stored or reflected XSS issue, depending on how the malicious input is processed and stored within the application's database or session management systems. According to CWE guidelines, this represents a CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security that enables attackers to inject malicious content into web pages viewed by other users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can hijack user sessions, steal sensitive authentication credentials, access restricted administrative functions, and potentially escalate privileges within the VDS-SM system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote code execution without requiring authentication, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise enterprise video distribution systems. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that the VDS-SM platform typically manages critical video content and distribution workflows, meaning that successful exploitation could lead to content tampering, unauthorized access to video streams, or disruption of business-critical video services. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001: Phishing, as it can be leveraged through spear-phishing campaigns where attackers craft malicious URLs to target specific users within the organization's network.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from affected organizations to implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the VDS-SM application. The most effective approach involves implementing comprehensive parameter validation that rejects or sanitizes any input containing potentially dangerous characters or script tags before processing user requests. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious traffic patterns associated with XSS attacks. Cisco has released patches and security updates for affected versions of the VDS-SM platform, and organizations must ensure these updates are applied promptly to remediate the vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper security headers such as Content Security Policy can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while user education programs can help reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that leverage this vulnerability. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding in web applications, reinforcing the need for secure coding practices and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in enterprise software systems.