CVE-2017-12291 in Registered Envelope Service
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple vulnerabilities in the web interface of the Cisco Registered Envelope Service (a cloud-based service) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack or redirect a user of the affected service to an undesired web page. The vulnerabilities are due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input by the web-based management interface of the affected service. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by persuading a user to click a malicious link or by sending an HTTP request that could cause the affected service to redirect the request to a specified malicious URL. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the context of the web interface of the affected system or allow the attacker to access sensitive browser-based information on the affected system. These types of exploits could also be used in phishing attacks that send users to malicious websites without their knowledge. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCve77195, CSCve90978, CSCvf42310, CSCvf42703, CSCvf42723, CSCvf46169, CSCvf49999.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12291 affects Cisco Registered Envelope Service, a cloud-based communication platform designed to facilitate secure email delivery and management. This web interface vulnerability represents a significant security weakness that impacts the integrity and confidentiality of user interactions with the service. The affected system operates as a cloud-based envelope service that handles sensitive email communications and user data, making it a potentially attractive target for malicious actors seeking to exploit web application flaws. The vulnerabilities stem from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web-based management interface, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate the service through crafted user-supplied data.
The technical flaw manifests as insufficient validation of user-supplied input within the web interface components of the Cisco Registered Envelope Service. This weakness allows attackers to inject malicious scripts or manipulate URL redirection parameters through specially crafted HTTP requests. The vulnerability specifically enables cross-site scripting attacks where malicious code can execute within the context of the authenticated user's browser session, and also permits unauthorized redirection to malicious web pages. The attack vectors involve social engineering techniques where users are tricked into clicking malicious links or when attackers can craft HTTP requests that manipulate the service to redirect users to attacker-controlled domains. These flaws directly relate to CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and CWE-601 which addresses URL redirection issues. The vulnerability architecture permits attackers to leverage the service's legitimate user trust relationships to execute malicious code or steal sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to encompass potential data breaches and phishing attacks that can compromise user confidentiality and system integrity. An attacker exploiting these vulnerabilities could gain access to sensitive browser-based information, potentially including session cookies, user credentials, or other confidential data that users might have entered into the service interface. The redirection capability creates opportunities for sophisticated phishing campaigns where users are unknowingly directed to malicious sites that can harvest credentials or install malware. The cloud-based nature of the service means that successful exploitation could affect multiple users simultaneously, potentially creating widespread security incidents. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for phishing attacks, demonstrating how the weakness can be leveraged for broader attack chains.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12291 should focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms throughout the web interface components of the Cisco Registered Envelope Service. Organizations should deploy comprehensive content security policies and implement proper output encoding to prevent script injection attacks. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious input patterns targeting these specific vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other web applications. Cisco has released patches addressing these vulnerabilities through their security advisory process, and organizations should ensure timely deployment of these updates. The remediation approach should include comprehensive testing of input validation controls and monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also implement user education programs to recognize and report potential phishing attempts that might leverage these vulnerabilities.