CVE-2018-0128 in Data Center Analytics Framework
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Data Center Analytics Framework could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a stored 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: CSCvh02082.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-0128 represents a critical security flaw within Cisco Data Center Analytics Framework's web-based management interface, classified as a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability under CWE-79. This weakness allows unauthenticated remote attackers to execute malicious scripts against authenticated users who interact with the compromised interface. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web application layer, specifically failing to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing or storing it within the system. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious links that, when clicked by a victim user, trigger the execution of malicious JavaScript code within the victim's browser context. The affected Cisco Data Center Analytics Framework operates within enterprise networking environments where administrative access to data center analytics is critical for infrastructure management and monitoring operations. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the web interface by potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive session information, steal authentication tokens, or manipulate the interface to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of legitimate users.
The technical exploitation of this stored XSS vulnerability follows the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for command and control through scripting, where attackers leverage the web interface's trust relationship with users to execute malicious code. The flaw manifests when user input is stored and later reflected back to users without proper sanitization or encoding, creating a persistent vector for malicious script injection. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, credential theft, or data exfiltration. An attacker could craft a malicious payload that, when stored by the application, executes automatically whenever a victim accesses the affected interface. This persistent nature of stored XSS makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple administrators regularly access the management interface, as the attack surface expands with each user interaction. The vulnerability affects Cisco Data Center Analytics Framework versions prior to the patch release that addressed CSCvh02082, leaving organizations with potentially thousands of devices at risk across enterprise data center environments.
Organizations affected by CVE-2018-0128 must implement immediate mitigation strategies to protect their network infrastructure from potential exploitation. The primary remediation involves applying the latest security patches provided by Cisco to address the input validation deficiencies in the web interface. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit exposure of the management interface to trusted networks only, reducing the attack surface available to potential attackers. Implementing web application firewalls with XSS detection capabilities provides an additional layer of protection against malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious activity patterns in the web interface logs, particularly around user session management and data input handling. Regular security assessments of web-based management interfaces should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses across other network infrastructure components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input sanitization and output encoding in web applications, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can identify stored XSS vulnerabilities in web applications, as this type of flaw often goes undetected during routine security assessments due to its persistent nature. The attack vector for this vulnerability emphasizes the need for comprehensive security awareness training for network administrators to recognize and avoid clicking suspicious links that could contain malicious payloads designed to exploit such vulnerabilities in management interfaces.