CVE-2017-12308 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 an HTTP response splitting attack against a user of the web interface of an affected system. The vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation of some 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 a user request and injecting malicious code into the 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 350 Series Managed Switches, Cisco 350X Series Stackable Managed Switches, Cisco 550X Series Stackable Managed Switches, Cisco ESW2 Series Advanced Switches, Cisco Small Business 300 Series Managed Switches, Cisco Small Business 500 Series Stackable Managed Switches. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvg29980.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2019
This vulnerability resides within the web framework of Cisco Small Business Managed Switches software, specifically targeting the HTTP response handling mechanisms that govern user interactions with the web interface. The flaw manifests as inadequate input validation for parameters processed by the embedded web server, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate HTTP responses through crafted user requests. The vulnerability falls under the category of HTTP response splitting attacks, which represent a sophisticated class of web application security flaws that can compromise user sessions and enable various forms of malicious activity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to leverage insufficient parameter validation within the web server component of the affected switches. When users interact with the web interface, the system fails to properly sanitize inputs that are passed to the HTTP response handling layer, allowing malicious code injection through crafted URLs or request parameters. This vulnerability specifically affects multiple series of Cisco managed switches including the 300 and 500 Series, encompassing various models such as the 350 Series, 350X Series, 550X Series, ESW2 Series, and Small Business 300 and 500 Series, indicating a widespread impact across the product line. The vulnerability is catalogued under Cisco Bug ID CSCvg29980, which documents the specific implementation flaw within the web framework's parameter handling mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to manipulate user sessions and access sensitive browser-based information through the compromised web interface. An attacker could potentially redirect users to malicious websites, inject malicious content into web pages, or even steal session cookies and other sensitive data from authenticated user sessions. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the network equipment, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network administrators rely on web-based management interfaces for device configuration and monitoring. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-113, which describes improper neutralization of CRLF characters in HTTP headers, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection attacks.
The attack vectors for this vulnerability include both social engineering approaches where users are convinced to follow malicious links and more direct interception techniques where attackers modify user requests in transit. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation makes this particularly dangerous as it can be executed against any user who accesses the affected web interface without requiring credentials or prior access to the network. Network administrators should consider implementing additional security controls including web application firewalls, network monitoring for suspicious HTTP patterns, and regular security assessments of network management interfaces to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and highlights the need for robust security measures in network infrastructure management interfaces, particularly those that are accessible over untrusted networks where attackers can potentially intercept and manipulate user requests.