CVE-2018-0186 in IOS XE
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based user interface (web UI) of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the web UI of the affected software. The vulnerabilities are due to insufficient input validation of certain parameters that are passed to the affected software via the web UI. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by persuading a user of the affected UI to access a malicious link or by intercepting a user request for the affected UI and injecting malicious code into the request. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the context of the affected UI or allow the attacker to access sensitive browser-based information on the user's system. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCuz38591, CSCvb09530, CSCvb10022.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-0186 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the web-based user interface of Cisco IOS XE Software, exposing organizations to significant remote attack vectors. This issue affects the web UI component of Cisco IOS XE, which serves as the primary management interface for network devices running this software. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters passed through the web interface. According to industry standards, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly escape or validate user input that gets reflected in web responses. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it allows unauthenticated remote exploitation, meaning attackers can target users without requiring prior authentication credentials or network access to the affected devices.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of parameters within the web UI, where the insufficient input validation creates opportunities for malicious code injection. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting specially designed links that, when clicked by an authenticated user, execute arbitrary JavaScript within the victim's browser context. This approach aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, where attackers use browser-based scripting to compromise user sessions. Additionally, the vulnerability enables information disclosure attacks through the ability to access sensitive browser-based information on the user's system, which corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1074.001 - Data Staged: Local Data Staging. The specific Cisco Bug IDs CSCuz38591, CSCvb09530, and CSCvb10022 indicate that multiple parameter validation points within the web UI were identified as weak spots, suggesting the vulnerability affects various input vectors rather than a single point of failure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, creating potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks within network environments. When an attacker successfully exploits this XSS vulnerability, they can manipulate the web UI to perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, potentially leading to privilege escalation or unauthorized configuration changes. The ability to execute code in the context of the affected UI means attackers could establish persistent access or exfiltrate sensitive information from the network management interface. Organizations running affected Cisco IOS XE software face increased risk of man-in-the-middle attacks, session hijacking, and credential theft, particularly in environments where network administrators frequently interact with the web UI. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects the management interface of network infrastructure devices, potentially allowing attackers to gain insights into network topology, device configurations, and administrative access patterns that could be leveraged for further compromise. Network security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat landscape, as it could serve as a stepping stone for more extensive network infiltration attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0186 should focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. Cisco has released software updates addressing this vulnerability, and organizations should prioritize applying these patches to all affected devices running Cisco IOS XE Software. Beyond patch management, network administrators should implement web application firewalls and input validation controls to monitor and filter traffic to the affected web UI components. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit exposure of the web UI to untrusted networks. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious requests to the web UI that contain encoded script payloads, and regular security assessments should verify that input validation controls remain effective. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about phishing attempts that might leverage this vulnerability through malicious links. The vulnerability's classification as a web UI XSS issue aligns with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten Project, specifically addressing the importance of input validation and output encoding in preventing cross-site scripting attacks. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar input validation weaknesses in other network management interfaces and web applications.