CVE-2017-6654 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Unified Communications Manager 10.5 through 11.5 could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the web-based management interface of an affected device. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input by the web-based management interface of an affected device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user of the interface to click a crafted link. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the context of the interface or allow the attacker to access sensitive browser-based information. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvc06608.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-6654 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco Unified Communications Manager's web-based management interface. This security weakness affects versions 10.5 through 11.5 of the unified communications platform, which serves as a cornerstone for enterprise voice and collaboration systems. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing within the web interface. This flaw creates a dangerous attack vector where malicious actors can manipulate the system through crafted web requests that appear legitimate to unsuspecting users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious link that, when clicked by an authenticated user of the management interface, triggers the execution of arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser context. This occurs because the web interface does not adequately validate or escape user input parameters, allowing malicious scripts to be injected and subsequently executed when the page renders. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web-based management interface component of Cisco Unified Communications Manager, which provides administrators with access to configuration and monitoring capabilities for voice and video communication systems. The flaw allows for two primary attack vectors: code execution within the browser context of the management interface and unauthorized access to sensitive browser-based information that may be accessible to the compromised session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it could potentially enable attackers to escalate privileges or access sensitive system information. In enterprise environments where Cisco Unified Communications Manager serves as a critical infrastructure component for voice communications, this vulnerability could compromise the integrity of the entire communication system. Attackers could leverage this flaw to establish persistent access points, monitor communication sessions, or even manipulate voice and video services. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that no prior credentials are required to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the management interface is accessible from untrusted networks. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79 which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and could be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based execution within browser environments.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Cisco security patches and updates released to address the identified XSS flaw. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the management interface to trusted networks only. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls can provide additional layers of protection against similar attacks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify potential input validation weaknesses in other web applications within the enterprise environment. The remediation process should also include user awareness training to help identify and avoid potentially malicious links that may be used to exploit this vulnerability, particularly in phishing campaigns targeting system administrators who regularly access the management interface.