CVE-2017-6611 in Prime Infrastructure
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web framework code of Cisco Prime Infrastructure 2.2(2) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against the user of the web interface of the affected system. The vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation of some parameters passed to the web server. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by convincing the user to access a malicious link or by intercepting the user request and injecting the malicious code. An exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the context of the affected site or allow the attacker to access sensitive browser-based information. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCuw65830.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6611 resides within the web framework implementation of Cisco Prime Infrastructure version 2.2(2), representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that exposes the system to unauthenticated remote attacks. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web server's parameter handling processes, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject harmful scripts into the web interface. The flaw specifically targets the validation of parameters transmitted through the web framework, allowing attackers to bypass security controls that should normally sanitize user inputs before processing. The vulnerability affects the web-based management interface of Cisco Prime Infrastructure, which serves as the primary administrative portal for network management operations. This exposure creates a significant risk for organizations relying on the platform for critical network infrastructure management, as the web interface represents a primary attack surface for unauthorized access and privilege escalation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard XSS attack patterns where an attacker crafts malicious payloads designed to execute within the victim's browser context. The attack vector requires minimal privileges since the vulnerability is accessible to unauthenticated users, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without prior authentication or network access. Attackers can leverage this flaw by creating malicious links that, when clicked by an authenticated user, execute scripts within the context of the web application. Alternatively, attackers can intercept user requests and inject malicious code during transit, leveraging man-in-the-middle capabilities to manipulate the communication between users and the web server. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to access sensitive browser-based information, steal session cookies, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The flaw specifically affects parameter handling within the web framework, where input validation is insufficient to prevent malicious payloads from being processed and rendered in the user's browser.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6611 represents a severe threat to network infrastructure security, particularly for organizations that depend on Cisco Prime Infrastructure for their network management operations. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to compromise the administrative interface, potentially leading to unauthorized network configuration changes, data exfiltration, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability's presence in the web framework means that any user with access to the web interface could become a victim of the attack, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple administrators or users interact with the system. Organizations may experience significant operational disruption if attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability, as it could lead to unauthorized access to critical network management functions and potential data breaches. The risk is amplified by the fact that the vulnerability affects the core management interface, which typically contains sensitive network configuration data, user credentials, and system information that could be leveraged for further attacks within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6611 should focus on immediate patching of the affected Cisco Prime Infrastructure version 2.2(2) to address the input validation deficiencies. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the web interface to trusted networks only, reducing the attack surface available to potential attackers. Input validation and output encoding mechanisms should be strengthened across all web applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components of the infrastructure. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious user behavior or unusual network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in web applications, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script execution through web interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide additional protection against XSS attacks and establish incident response procedures to quickly address potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of web applications and frameworks should be conducted to identify and remediate similar input validation vulnerabilities that could provide attackers with similar access privileges.