CVE-2017-6782 in Prime Infrastructure
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the administrative web interface of Cisco Prime Infrastructure could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to modify a page in the web interface of the affected application. The vulnerability is due to improper sanitization of parameter values by the affected application. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious code into an affected parameter and persuading a user to access a web page that triggers the rendering of the injected code. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCve47074. Known Affected Releases: 3.2(0.0).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6782 resides within Cisco Prime Infrastructure's administrative web interface, representing a critical security flaw that enables authenticated remote attackers to manipulate web page content. This weakness specifically manifests in the application's inadequate parameter sanitization mechanisms, creating an avenue for code injection attacks that can compromise the integrity of the administrative interface. The vulnerability affects version 3.2(0.0) and potentially other releases within the affected product line, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on Cisco's network infrastructure management solutions.
The technical flaw stems from improper input validation and sanitization practices within the web application's parameter handling mechanisms. When the application processes user-supplied parameters through its administrative interface, it fails to adequately sanitize or validate the input before incorporating it into web page rendering. This deficiency creates a path for attackers to inject malicious code through carefully crafted parameter values that bypass normal security controls. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) conditions where applications fail to properly sanitize user inputs, and specifically relates to CWE-20, which covers Improper Input Validation. The attack vector requires an authenticated user context, meaning that an attacker must first establish valid credentials to the administrative interface before exploiting this vulnerability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code injection, as it allows attackers to modify web pages within the administrative interface, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data manipulation, or further compromise of the network infrastructure. An attacker could craft malicious parameters that, when accessed by legitimate users, would execute arbitrary code in the context of the victim's browser session. This capability enables a range of malicious activities including credential theft, session hijacking, and the potential for privilege escalation within the administrative environment. The vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering tactics where attackers persuade users to click on malicious links or visit compromised web pages that trigger the execution of injected code, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative users frequently interact with web-based interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6782 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with Cisco's security updates, as the vendor has addressed this vulnerability through software releases that properly implement input sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces and enforce strict authentication controls including multi-factor authentication. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of the patched environment to ensure that the sanitization mechanisms function correctly and that no regression issues have been introduced. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous parameter usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and administrators should conduct regular security assessments of web applications to identify similar input validation vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving Web Application Attacks and Credential Access, specifically leveraging the T1059.007 sub-technique for Scripting and T1566 for Phishing to establish initial access and maintain persistence within the administrative environment.