CVE-2017-12349 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-2017-12349 affects the web-based management interface of Cisco UCS Central Software, representing a critical security weakness that exposes organizations to significant operational risks. This vulnerability resides within the user-facing web interface of Cisco's unified computing system central management platform, which is widely deployed in enterprise data centers for managing large-scale server infrastructures. The affected software version allows unauthorized remote attackers to exploit flaws in the web application's input validation mechanisms, creating opportunities for malicious activities that can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the management environment.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient validation of user-supplied input within the web interface components of Cisco UCS Central Software. Attackers can inject malicious scripts into input fields or parameters that are not properly sanitized before being processed and rendered back to users. This vulnerability specifically enables cross-site scripting attacks where malicious JavaScript code can be executed in the context of a victim's browser session, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, modify page content, or redirect users to malicious websites. The flaw also permits session hijacking attempts where valid session identifiers can be extracted and used by attackers to impersonate legitimate users within the management interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with persistent access to critical infrastructure management functions. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized administrative access to the entire UCS Central management system, enabling attackers to modify server configurations, access sensitive data, or disrupt operations. The session hijacking capability particularly threatens the security posture since it allows attackers to maintain long-term access without requiring repeated exploitation attempts. Organizations relying on Cisco UCS Central for managing their data center infrastructure face significant risk of unauthorized access to their compute resources, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruptions, or compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of Cisco's security patches and updates addressing the identified cross-site scripting flaws. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the management interface to trusted networks only. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, with particular attention to unusual session activity or malformed input patterns. Input validation controls should be enhanced through proper sanitization of all user-supplied data and implementation of content security policies to prevent script execution. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide additional protection layers and establish incident response procedures to quickly address potential exploitation attempts, aligning with industry standards such as those defined in CWE-79 for cross-site scripting vulnerabilities and ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation through web application exploitation.