CVE-2017-3798 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A cross-site scripting (XSS) filter bypass vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Unified Communications Manager could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to mount XSS attacks against a user of an affected device. More Information: CSCvb97237. Known Affected Releases: 11.0(1.10000.10) 11.5(1.10000.6). Known Fixed Releases: 11.5(1.12029.1) 11.5(1.12900.11) 12.0(0.98000.369) 12.0(0.98000.370) 12.0(0.98000.398) 12.0(0.98000.457).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3798 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco Unified Communications Manager's web-based management interface. This security weakness specifically affects the XSS filter mechanism that should normally protect against malicious script injection attempts. The vulnerability enables unauthenticated remote attackers to bypass the existing security controls and execute malicious scripts against unsuspecting users who interact with the affected management interface. The flaw exists in the input validation and output encoding processes that are supposed to sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages, creating a pathway for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of authenticated sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user input parameters within the web interface components of Cisco Unified Communications Manager. When users interact with the management console, the application fails to properly validate and encode data submitted through various input fields, particularly those used for configuration parameters, user names, or other editable fields. This insufficient filtering allows malicious payloads to be stored and subsequently executed when legitimate users view the affected pages, creating a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited across multiple user sessions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the web interface components that handle user interactions, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently access the management interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to complete session hijacking and privilege escalation within the affected system. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, execute arbitrary commands with administrative privileges, or redirect users to malicious sites that appear legitimate. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the network or administrative credentials to exploit the vulnerability, significantly increasing the attack surface. This weakness is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Cisco Unified Communications Manager serves as a central communication hub, as successful exploitation could compromise the entire voice communication infrastructure and potentially provide a foothold for further lateral movement within the network.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies focusing on both immediate remediation and operational security enhancements. The most effective solution involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates released in versions 11.5(1.12029.1), 11.5(1.12900.11), 12.0(0.98000.369), 12.0(0.98000.370), 12.0(0.98000.398), and 12.0(0.98000.457, which specifically address the XSS filter bypass mechanism. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the management interface to trusted networks only. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network components. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a variant of techniques commonly catalogued under ATT&CK tactic TA0001 (Initial Access) and technique T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, highlighting its potential for unauthorized system access and privilege escalation within enterprise communication environments.