CVE-2017-12258 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based UI of Cisco Unified Communications Manager could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute a cross-frame scripting (XFS) attack. The vulnerability exists because the affected software does not provide sufficient protections for HTML inline frames (iframes). An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by directing a user of the affected software to an attacker-controlled web page that contains a malicious HTML inline frame. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to conduct click-jacking or other types of client-side browser attacks. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCve60993.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12258 resides within Cisco Unified Communications Manager's web-based user interface, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the software's ability to protect against cross-frame scripting attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the insufficient protection mechanisms implemented for HTML inline frames, which are essential components for embedding external content within web pages. The flaw creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors can manipulate the browser's frame environment to execute unauthorized actions. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-74, which addresses injection flaws, and more specifically with CWE-93, which deals with improper neutralization of special elements used in an alternate execution scope. The attack vector requires minimal privileges as the vulnerability is accessible to unauthenticated remote attackers, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the web interface is exposed to external networks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the web-based UI's failure to properly validate and sanitize HTML content, specifically inline frames that are used to display content from different sources within the same page. When a user accesses a malicious web page containing a crafted iframe, the vulnerability allows the attacker's code to execute within the context of the legitimate application's frame, effectively bypassing the security boundaries that should separate different content sources. This cross-frame scripting capability enables attackers to manipulate the user interface in ways that were not intended by the application's design, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or information disclosure. The exploitation requires the victim to navigate to a malicious page, which aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as the attack leverages browser-based scripting to execute malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple client-side attacks, as it creates opportunities for more sophisticated exploitation techniques including click-jacking, where users are tricked into performing unintended actions within the application interface. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to manipulate the user's interaction with the legitimate application, potentially leading to unauthorized administrative actions or data access. Organizations relying on Cisco Unified Communications Manager face significant risk as this vulnerability could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to communication systems, potentially compromising voice and video communications. The impact is particularly severe because the vulnerability affects the web-based management interface, which is often accessible to users within the organization and may be exposed to external networks. The security implications align with the broader category of UI redressing attacks and fall under the ATT&CK matrix's T1070.004 technique for indicator removal on host, as attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to manipulate the user interface to hide malicious activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security gap and broader architectural concerns within the web interface implementation. Organizations should implement proper input validation and output encoding for all HTML content, particularly inline frames, to prevent malicious content from being executed within the application context. The implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide additional protection by restricting the sources from which content can be loaded, effectively preventing unauthorized frame embedding. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the web interface to untrusted networks, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Cisco has addressed this specific vulnerability through software updates that enhance the validation mechanisms for HTML content and implement stricter frame handling policies, which aligns with the security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper web application security controls and the need for continuous security testing to identify and remediate similar issues in complex enterprise applications.