CVE-2017-3847 in FirePOWER Management Center
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web framework of Cisco Firepower Management Center could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the web interface. More Information: CSCvc72741. Known Affected Releases: 6.2.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3847 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the web framework of Cisco Firepower Management Center version 6.2.1. This security weakness exists in the web interface component that processes user input and renders content, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability specifically affects the authentication mechanisms and web application layer of the Firepower Management Center, which serves as the central management interface for Cisco's next-generation firewall and intrusion prevention systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated attacker with valid credentials interacts with the web interface of the Firepower Management Center. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the web framework, allowing malicious script code to be executed in the context of a victim's browser session. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is used in a web page without proper validation or escaping, enabling attackers to inject client-side scripts. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authentication to exploit, meaning that an attacker with valid user credentials can leverage this flaw against other users within the same management interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3847 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, privilege escalation, and unauthorized access to sensitive network management functions. An attacker could potentially steal administrative credentials, modify firewall policies, or gain access to confidential network information through the compromised web interface. This vulnerability significantly undermines the security posture of organizations relying on Cisco Firepower Management Center, as it allows for persistent attacks that could remain undetected for extended periods. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the Firepower Management Center serves as a critical administrative interface for network security policies and configurations.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the official Cisco security patches and updates released to address the XSS flaw. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls, input validation measures, and enhanced monitoring of web interface activities. The remediation process should involve comprehensive testing of the patched environment to ensure that the XSS vulnerability is fully resolved while maintaining the functionality of the management interface. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implement proper access controls to limit the scope of potential attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection and T1566 for credential access, making it a significant concern for organizations following the MITRE ATT&CK framework for threat analysis and defense planning.