CVE-2017-12221 in FirePOWER Management Center
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web framework of Cisco Firepower Management Center could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the web interface of the affected software. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input by the affected software. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the affected system. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvc38983.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12221 affects the Cisco Firepower Management Center web framework, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that enables authenticated remote attackers to compromise user sessions. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web interface components of the affected software, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject malicious code into user sessions. The issue manifests when the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before processing or rendering it within the web interface, allowing attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted payloads.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows established patterns for XSS attacks, where an authenticated attacker can leverage the insufficient validation to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The attack vector requires the attacker to first establish authentication credentials, making this a privileged vulnerability that can be particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access is maintained by a limited number of users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows for arbitrary code execution in the context of the affected system, potentially enabling full compromise of the targeted environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-12221 extends beyond simple script injection, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive network management functions. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, access confidential network data, or manipulate the Firepower Management Center's configuration settings. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as the malicious code execution could enable attackers to run commands on the compromised system. Organizations using Cisco Firepower Management Center face significant risk from this vulnerability, particularly in environments where multiple administrators maintain access to the system, as a single compromised account could provide attackers with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected Cisco Firepower Management Center software to address the input validation deficiencies. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the management interface and enforce strict authentication controls, including multi-factor authentication where possible. The Cisco bug ID CSCvc38983 indicates that this vulnerability was specifically addressed in subsequent software releases, making timely patch management critical for preventing exploitation. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around web interface access and input processing activities. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input sanitization measures as additional protective layers, while conducting regular security assessments to identify similar validation weaknesses in other network management systems.