CVE-2017-12307 in Switch
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web framework of Cisco Small Business Managed Switches software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the web interface of an affected system. The vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation of parameters that are passed to the web server of the affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by convincing a user to follow a malicious link or by intercepting and injecting code into a user request. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the context of the affected web interface or allow the attacker to access sensitive browser-based information. This vulnerability affects the following Cisco Small Business 300 and 500 Series Managed Switches: Cisco Small Business 300 Series Managed Switches, Cisco Small Business 500 Series Stackable Managed Switches, Cisco 350 Series Managed Switches, Cisco 350X Series Stackable Managed Switches, Cisco 550X Series Stackable Managed Switches, Cisco ESW2 Series Advanced Switches. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvg24637.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical reflected cross-site scripting flaw in Cisco Small Business Managed Switches software that operates at the web application layer. The security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web framework's parameter handling processes, creating an exploitable entry point for remote attackers. The vulnerability specifically affects the web server component of affected switch models, which process user-supplied parameters without proper sanitization or validation checks. According to the Cisco Bug ID CSCvg24637, the flaw manifests when the system fails to adequately filter or escape user input before incorporating it into web responses, thereby enabling malicious code injection through crafted HTTP requests.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft malicious links or manipulate user requests to inject XSS payloads into the affected web interface. The reflected nature of the attack means that the malicious script code is immediately reflected back to the victim's browser through the vulnerable parameter handling mechanism. Attackers can leverage this weakness by enticing users to click on malicious links or by intercepting and modifying legitimate user requests in transit. The attack vector operates entirely within the HTTP protocol boundaries, making it particularly insidious as it can bypass traditional network security controls that focus on network layer threats. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities due to insufficient input validation and improper output encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to access sensitive browser-based information and potentially escalate their privileges within the affected system's web interface. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to perform actions that appear to originate from authenticated users, potentially leading to unauthorized configuration changes or data access. The vulnerability affects a broad range of Cisco Small Business switching hardware including 300, 500, 350, 350X, 550X series switches and ESW2 series advanced switches, representing a substantial attack surface across multiple product lines. This widespread impact makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for network administrators managing diverse Cisco Small Business deployments, as a single unpatched device could compromise the entire network's web-based management interface security posture.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to limit access to affected switch web interfaces, deployment of web application firewalls to filter malicious requests, and implementation of strict access controls for web management interfaces. Network administrators should also consider disabling web management interfaces where possible, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and conducting thorough vulnerability assessments of all affected devices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for spearphishing with links, highlighting the attack techniques that leverage such web-based vulnerabilities. Regular security updates and patch management procedures should be prioritized to address this and similar vulnerabilities in network infrastructure components, as the reflected XSS attack vector represents a persistent threat that can be exploited repeatedly until properly remediated through software updates or configuration changes.