CVE-2017-6715 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. Affected Products: Cisco Firepower Management Center Releases 5.4.1.x and prior. More Information: CSCuy88951. Known Affected Releases: 5.4.1.6.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6715 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the web framework of Cisco Firepower Management Center, specifically impacting versions 5.4.1.x and prior including the affected release 5.4.1.6. This vulnerability resides in the web interface component of the security management platform, which serves as the central control point for managing Cisco Firepower threat defense appliances. The flaw allows an authenticated attacker to execute malicious scripts against unsuspecting users who interact with the web interface, potentially compromising the security posture of the entire network protection infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web framework's handling of user-supplied data. When legitimate users interact with the management interface, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-controllable parameters that are subsequently rendered in web pages. This insufficient sanitization creates an environment where maliciously crafted input can be executed as scripts within the context of the victim's browser session, violating fundamental web security principles and enabling unauthorized code execution. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as a classic cross-site scripting flaw, specifically manifesting as stored or reflected XSS depending on how the malicious input is processed and stored within the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive authentication tokens, and potentially escalate privileges within the management interface. An authenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to manipulate the web interface, access restricted administrative functions, or redirect users to malicious websites designed to harvest credentials or deploy additional malware. The attack vector requires only authentication credentials to the Firepower Management Center, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or compromised accounts. This vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad by compromising confidentiality through potential credential theft and integrity through unauthorized modifications to the management interface.
Organizations utilizing Cisco Firepower Management Center versions 5.4.1.x should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the vendor's security patches and updates, implementing network segmentation to limit access to the management interface, and conducting comprehensive user access reviews to ensure only authorized personnel maintain authentication credentials. The mitigation approach should align with the ATT&CK framework's tactic of privilege escalation and defense evasion, as attackers may attempt to leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the management infrastructure. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, monitoring for suspicious user behavior, and conducting regular security assessments of the management interface to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and demonstrates how seemingly minor web framework flaws can create significant security risks in enterprise security management platforms.