CVE-2018-0098 in WAP150
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco WAP150 Wireless-AC/N Dual Radio Access Point with Power over Ethernet (PoE) and WAP361 Wireless-AC/N Dual Radio Wall Plate Access Point with PoE 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: CSCve57076.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0098 affects Cisco WAP150 and WAP361 wireless access point models that feature web-based management interfaces with power over ethernet capabilities. These devices serve as critical network infrastructure components that provide wireless connectivity while simultaneously delivering power to connected devices through their PoE functionality. The affected access points operate within enterprise and corporate environments where wireless network management is performed through web interfaces, making them attractive targets for cyber adversaries seeking to compromise network infrastructure. The vulnerability resides within the web-based management interface implementation, specifically in how the system processes user-supplied input through the web interface.
This security flaw represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the device's web interface. The insufficient sanitization of user-provided data allows malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that execute within the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication to exploit, meaning that an attacker can initiate the attack remotely without needing valid credentials. The attack vector involves crafting malicious links that, when clicked by an authenticated user of the web interface, trigger the execution of arbitrary code. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution capabilities to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the network environment. When successfully exploited, the malicious scripts could access sensitive browser-based information, manipulate the web interface functionality, or even establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The attack scenario presents a significant risk to network administrators who regularly access these management interfaces, as they become potential victims of social engineering attacks where they might unknowingly click on malicious links. The vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to network configuration data, potentially leading to further compromise of the wireless network infrastructure and associated systems.
Cisco has documented this vulnerability in their bug tracking system under CSCve57076, indicating the company's recognition of the severity and impact of the issue. The remediation approach for this vulnerability typically involves applying the latest security patches and firmware updates provided by Cisco. Network administrators should implement immediate mitigation strategies including network segmentation to isolate affected devices, monitoring for suspicious network activity, and conducting security awareness training for personnel who interact with the affected web interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web application development and aligns with ATT&CK framework techniques related to web application attacks and credential access through compromised management interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and additional monitoring controls to detect and prevent exploitation attempts against such infrastructure components.