CVE-2017-6724 in Prime Infrastructure
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web framework code of Cisco Prime Infrastructure could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the web interface of an affected system. More Information: CSCuw65843. Known Affected Releases: 3.1(0.0).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6724 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco Prime Infrastructure's web framework implementation. This security weakness resides in the web interface component of the Cisco Prime Infrastructure software suite, specifically affecting version 3.1(0.0) and potentially other releases within the same major version. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's codebase, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by unsuspecting users. The flaw specifically impacts the authentication mechanisms of the web interface, as it permits unauthenticated remote exploitation without requiring any valid credentials or privileged access to the system.
This vulnerability operates through the exploitation of insecure input handling within the web framework's processing pipeline. When the web application receives user input through various interface elements or API endpoints, insufficient sanitization occurs before the data is rendered back to users within web pages. The vulnerability is classified as a classic reflected XSS attack vector where malicious payloads are injected through web parameters or form fields and subsequently executed in the victim's browser context. The attack requires minimal privileges as no authentication is needed to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for systems that are publicly accessible or exposed to untrusted networks.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6724 extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive user credentials, redirect users to malicious websites, or execute arbitrary commands within the victim's browser environment. The web interface of Cisco Prime Infrastructure typically handles configuration management, network monitoring, and administrative functions, making successful exploitation particularly concerning for enterprise environments. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to network management functions, potentially compromising the entire network infrastructure that the Prime Infrastructure manages. The vulnerability affects the availability and integrity of the web-based management interface, which could lead to denial of service conditions or unauthorized modifications to network configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6724 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with Cisco's security updates, as the vendor released specific fixes to address the XSS vulnerability in subsequent software releases. Organizations should implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts, while also applying input validation controls at multiple layers of the application architecture. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the affected web interface to untrusted networks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a technique commonly categorized under ATT&CK tactic TA0001 (Initial Access) through the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other web applications within the organization's infrastructure.