CVE-2017-12348 in UCS Central Software
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of Cisco UCS Central Software could allow a remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the affected interface or hijack a valid session ID from a user of the affected interface. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvf71978, CSCvf71986.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12348 affects the web-based management interface of Cisco UCS Central Software, representing a critical security flaw that exposes organizations to significant operational risks. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the software's web interface components, creating exploitable entry points for malicious actors seeking to compromise system integrity. The affected software serves as a centralized management platform for Cisco Unified Computing System environments, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to gain unauthorized access to critical infrastructure management functions.
Multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities exist within the web interface that enable remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. These flaws specifically manifest in the software's handling of user-supplied input data within the management interface, where proper sanitization and validation mechanisms are absent or insufficient. The vulnerability allows for session hijacking attacks where an attacker can steal valid session identifiers from authenticated users, effectively granting them unauthorized access to the management interface without requiring legitimate credentials. This particular weakness falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation through web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection attacks, as successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of the management interface and potentially the underlying infrastructure it controls. Attackers can leverage these vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary commands, modify configuration settings, or even escalate privileges within the managed computing environment. The session hijacking capability particularly poses a severe threat as it allows attackers to maintain persistent access to the management interface, enabling them to conduct reconnaissance, modify system settings, or launch further attacks against connected systems. Organizations relying on Cisco UCS Central Software for infrastructure management face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches when this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12348 should prioritize immediate implementation of vendor-provided security patches and updates to address the identified cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit exposure of the management interface to trusted networks only, while implementing web application firewalls to detect and prevent malicious script injection attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify additional vulnerabilities within the management interface, and administrators should implement robust monitoring solutions to detect suspicious activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against sophisticated attacks targeting management interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for management access and establish incident response procedures specifically designed to address session hijacking and cross-site scripting attacks.