CVE-2016-9214 in Identity Services Engine
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against the user of the web interface of the affected system. More Information: CSCvb86332 CSCvb86760. Known Affected Releases: 2.0(101.130).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2022
The Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9214 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that exposes the web interface to unauthenticated remote attackers. This vulnerability specifically affects version 2.0(101.130) and potentially other releases within the affected product line. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web interface components of the ISE platform, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by legitimate users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it does not require authentication credentials to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can reach the affected system's web interface.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web page responses. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit this weakness by embedding script code within parameters or fields that are subsequently displayed on web pages. When a legitimate user accesses the affected web interface, their browser executes the injected malicious code within the context of the vulnerable application, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which covers "Use of Cloud Services for Command and Control" where attackers might leverage compromised web interfaces for further malicious activities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to the ISE environment and potentially escalate privileges within the network infrastructure. Since ISE serves as a critical identity and access management solution, successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to network resources, modify user access policies, or disrupt network authentication services. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not need physical access to the network or administrative privileges to exploit the flaw, significantly increasing the attack surface and potential damage. Organizations relying on ISE for network security enforcement face substantial risk of unauthorized access to their network access control policies and user authentication data.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by Cisco to address the identified vulnerability in the affected ISE versions. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit exposure of the ISE web interface to untrusted networks, while web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers against malicious script injection attempts. Regular monitoring of web interface logs for suspicious activity and implementing proper input validation mechanisms can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Security awareness training for administrators should emphasize the importance of keeping ISE software updated and monitoring for unusual network behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of web interfaces in network infrastructure devices to identify similar XSS flaws that could compromise critical security services.