CVE-2017-6604 in Unified Computing System
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web interface of Cisco Integrated Management Controller (IMC) Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to redirect a user to a malicious web page. This vulnerability affects the following Cisco products running Cisco IMC Software: Unified Computing System (UCS) B-Series M3 and M4 Blade Servers, Unified Computing System (UCS) C-Series M3 and M4 Rack Servers. More Information: CSCvc37931. Known Affected Releases: 3.1(2c)B.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6604 resides within the web interface of Cisco Integrated Management Controller (IMC) Software, representing a significant security weakness that enables unauthenticated remote attackers to execute malicious redirection attacks against targeted systems. This flaw specifically impacts Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) B-Series M3 and M4 Blade Servers as well as C-Series M3 and M4 Rack Servers, making it particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of these server platforms in enterprise data centers and cloud environments. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the web interface components, creating an avenue for attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted web requests that ultimately redirect users to malicious web pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic cross-site scripting (XSS) weakness that operates at the application layer, specifically within the IMC web interface's handling of user-supplied data. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious URLs or web requests that contain specially formatted parameters or input strings, which when processed by the vulnerable IMC software, result in the injection of malicious JavaScript code or redirection commands. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and more specifically with CWE-601, which addresses URL Redirects or Forwards without proper validation. This weakness allows attackers to perform phishing attacks, deliver malware, or redirect users to compromised sites that can harvest credentials or install malicious software on the victim's system.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6604 extends beyond simple web interface manipulation, as it represents a critical vector for advanced persistent threats and social engineering attacks targeting enterprise infrastructure. When successful, the vulnerability enables attackers to compromise user sessions and potentially gain access to sensitive management interfaces that control critical server hardware. The attack surface is particularly dangerous because it affects the management interface of servers that are often considered secure zones within enterprise networks, where administrators perform critical maintenance and configuration tasks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566, which covers Phishing, and T1071, which addresses Application Layer Protocol usage, as attackers can leverage the redirection capability to establish command and control channels or deliver additional payloads.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where the IMC software is accessible from untrusted networks or where administrators may inadvertently click on malicious links. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires no authentication, making it accessible to any remote attacker with knowledge of the affected systems. Network segmentation and access controls may provide some mitigation, but the fundamental flaw in the web interface design means that even properly secured networks can be compromised through targeted attacks against the management interface. The affected release version 3.1(2c)B represents a specific software state where the input validation mechanisms were insufficient to prevent malicious redirection attempts, making regular software updates and patch management critical for maintaining security posture.
Effective mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6604 require immediate implementation of Cisco's official security patches and updates, which address the underlying input validation and output encoding issues within the IMC web interface. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to isolate management interfaces from untrusted networks, deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious requests, and establish robust monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized redirection attempts. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators can help prevent successful phishing attacks that leverage this vulnerability, as users may inadvertently click on malicious links that exploit the redirection capability. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and demonstrates how seemingly minor web interface flaws can create significant attack vectors in enterprise environments where server management interfaces serve as primary access points for critical infrastructure operations.