CVE-2017-12344 in Data Center Network Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple vulnerabilities in Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) Software could allow a remote attacker to inject arbitrary values into DCNM configuration parameters, redirect a user to a malicious website, inject malicious content into a DCNM client interface, or conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the affected software. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvf40477, CSCvf63150, CSCvf68218, CSCvf68235, CSCvf68247.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12344 affects Cisco Data Center Network Manager software, a critical component in enterprise data center network management and orchestration. This software serves as a centralized platform for managing complex network infrastructures, making it a prime target for sophisticated cyber attacks. The affected system operates within the data center environment where network administrators rely on its web-based interface for configuration management, monitoring, and operational tasks. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the DCNM web interface, creating multiple attack vectors that could compromise the integrity and confidentiality of network management operations. These issues are particularly concerning given the privileged access that DCNM provides to network infrastructure components and the potential for cascading security failures throughout the data center environment.
The technical flaw manifests through multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that exist within the DCNM web application interface, specifically within the parameter handling and content rendering components. Attackers can exploit these weaknesses by injecting malicious JavaScript code through carefully crafted input parameters that are then executed in the context of authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability allows for arbitrary value injection into configuration parameters, which can lead to unauthorized modifications of network settings, potentially disrupting network operations or creating backdoor access points. Additionally, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in web pages, enabling attackers to inject malicious content that can redirect users to phishing sites or execute malicious scripts against authenticated users. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of insecure input handling in web interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or unauthorized access, as it can enable sophisticated attack chains that compromise the entire data center network management ecosystem. An attacker who successfully exploits these XSS vulnerabilities can potentially escalate privileges, gain access to sensitive network configuration data, or redirect network traffic through maliciously injected parameters. The implications are particularly severe because DCNM serves as a central management point for complex network infrastructures where unauthorized modifications could lead to service disruptions, data exfiltration, or the creation of unauthorized network access points. The vulnerability affects not only individual user sessions but also the integrity of the entire network management system, as compromised configuration parameters could be propagated throughout the network infrastructure. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers can execute malicious code through web-based interfaces. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that these vulnerabilities could be exploited without requiring authentication for certain attack vectors, making them particularly dangerous in environments where network management interfaces are accessible from untrusted networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12344 should focus on immediate patch management and network segmentation approaches to limit the attack surface. Organizations must apply the relevant Cisco security patches that address the input validation and output encoding flaws in the DCNM software, while also implementing network-level controls to restrict access to the management interface. Web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious input patterns that could indicate XSS attack attempts, and network administrators should implement strict access controls limiting who can access the DCNM interface. Regular security audits of the web application interface should be conducted to identify additional potential vulnerabilities, and user access should be strictly controlled through role-based access controls to minimize the impact of any successful exploitation attempts. The security posture should also include regular monitoring of network traffic for suspicious patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, as well as implementing secure coding practices in any custom applications that interface with the DCNM system. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication for access to the DCNM management interface and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to address web application vulnerabilities that could compromise network infrastructure management systems.