CVE-2017-12304 in IOS
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the IOS daemon (IOSd) web-based management interface of Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the web-based management interface on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input by the web-based management interface. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user of the interface to click a crafted link. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the web-based management interface or allow the attacker to access sensitive browser-based information. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvf60862.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12304 resides within the IOS daemon web-based management interface of Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software systems, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that undermines the security posture of affected network infrastructure. This vulnerability specifically targets the input validation mechanisms within the web interface, creating a pathway for malicious actors to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive network management functions. The flaw exists in the IOSd component that handles web-based administrative tasks, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit the trust relationship between legitimate users and the management interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input within the web-based management interface of Cisco devices. When users interact with the interface, the system fails to properly validate or escape input parameters that are subsequently rendered in web pages without sufficient protection measures. This insufficient validation creates an environment where malicious input can be injected and executed as script code within the browser context of authenticated users. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker crafts a malicious link containing XSS payload that, when clicked by an authenticated user, executes within the victim's browser session. This flaw operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities through inadequate input handling and output encoding.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-12304 extends beyond simple script execution capabilities, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal authentication tokens, and access sensitive configuration data through the compromised management interface. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially escalate privileges within the network management context, gaining access to device configuration details, user credentials, and other sensitive information that would normally be protected by the authentication mechanisms. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the device or knowledge of network credentials, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where such interfaces may be exposed to external networks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it allows for the execution of malicious JavaScript code within the victim's browser context.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of multiple defensive measures to protect against exploitation attempts. Cisco has released patches and software updates that address the input validation issues within the IOSd web interface, and organizations should prioritize applying these updates to all affected devices. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of web-based management interfaces to trusted networks only, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can help detect and prevent malicious payloads from executing within the browser environment. Regular monitoring of web interface access logs and implementing user behavior analytics can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling web-based management interfaces when not actively needed, as this reduces the window of opportunity for attackers to exploit the vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patches in controlled environments before deployment to production systems to ensure that updates do not introduce compatibility issues with existing network management workflows.