CVE-2017-6618 in Integrated Management Controller
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based GUI of Cisco Integrated Management Controller (IMC) 3.0(1c) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to perform a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input by the affected software. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading an authenticated user of the web-based GUI on an affected system to follow a malicious link. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of the web-based GUI on the affected system. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvd14587.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6618 resides within Cisco Integrated Management Controller version 3.0(1c) and represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the web-based graphical user interface. This weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing or rendering within the web application context. The vulnerability specifically affects the IMC's web-based GUI component, which serves as the primary interface for system administrators to manage and monitor Cisco hardware infrastructure. The flaw enables authenticated remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into the web application, potentially compromising the security posture of the entire managed infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated user to be tricked into following a malicious hyperlink that contains crafted script code. This type of attack falls under the category of reflected cross-site scripting as described in CWE-79, where malicious input is immediately reflected back to the user without proper sanitization. The attack vector leverages the trust relationship between the authenticated user and the web-based GUI, making it particularly dangerous as it operates within the legitimate user context. The vulnerability permits attackers to execute arbitrary code within the web-based GUI context, potentially enabling them to escalate privileges, access sensitive system information, or manipulate the management interface.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise infrastructure security as it allows attackers to compromise the management interface of Cisco hardware systems. The authenticated nature of the attack means that attackers do not need to bypass initial authentication mechanisms, but rather exploit the trust relationship once credentials are established. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the managed systems, as attackers could potentially gain unauthorized access to system configurations, monitoring data, and administrative controls. The potential for privilege escalation and persistent access makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on Cisco IMC for infrastructure management.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6618 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Cisco IMC systems to the latest available software versions that address the input validation deficiencies. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the affected management interfaces. Regular security assessments and input validation reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands through the compromised web interface. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against similar scripting injection attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect suspicious activities related to the management interface and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing web-based GUI compromises.