CVE-2017-12269 in Spark Messaging
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web UI of Cisco Spark Messaging Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to perform a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attack. The vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation by the web UI of the affected software. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by injecting XSS content into the web UI of the affected software. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to force a user to execute code of the attacker's choosing or allow the attacker to retrieve sensitive information from the user. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvf70587, CSCvf70592.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12269 resides within the web user interface of Cisco Spark Messaging Software, representing a critical security flaw that enables authenticated remote attackers to execute stored cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms implemented within the web UI components of the affected software, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject persistent malicious code into the system. The flaw specifically affects the messaging functionality where user inputs are not properly sanitized before being stored and subsequently rendered back to other users, creating a classic stored XSS attack vector that can compromise multiple users within the system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated attacker who can leverage the insufficient input validation to inject malicious scripts into the web interface. Once the malicious content is stored within the application's database or storage mechanisms, it becomes persistent and will execute whenever other users view the affected content. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that the attack payload remains active even after the initial injection, allowing attackers to execute code of their choosing or extract sensitive information from unsuspecting users who interact with the compromised content. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web UI components that handle user-generated content, making it particularly dangerous in collaborative messaging environments where multiple users interact with shared content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable sophisticated attack scenarios that compromise user sessions and access sensitive data. Attackers can potentially hijack user sessions, steal authentication tokens, or access confidential information that users share within the messaging platform. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the messaging environment, as users cannot trust the content they receive from other users. This type of vulnerability directly violates security principles of input validation and output encoding, which are fundamental requirements in secure application development. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Cisco Spark is used for business communications, as it could lead to data breaches, privilege escalation, or unauthorized access to sensitive corporate information.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation improvements, output encoding mechanisms, and regular security assessments of the web UI components. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Scripting and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to deliver malicious payloads to unsuspecting users. Cisco has addressed this issue through software updates and patches, but organizations must ensure comprehensive deployment across all affected systems to eliminate the risk of exploitation. The incident highlights the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications and demonstrates how seemingly minor validation flaws can create significant security risks in collaborative environments where user-generated content is prevalent.