CVE-2018-0208 in Registered Envelope Service
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of the (cloud based) Cisco Registered Envelope Service could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the web-based management interface of the affected service. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input that is processed by the web-based management interface of the affected service. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user of the interface to click a malicious link. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the context of the interface or access sensitive browser-based information. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvg74126.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-0208 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco's cloud-based Registered Envelope Service web interface. This issue affects the web-based management component that administrators and authorized users interact with to manage their cloud services. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing within the web application's backend systems. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes user input through its management interface without sufficient sanitization or validation controls, creating an avenue for malicious code injection.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated attacker who can manipulate the web interface through carefully crafted malicious links. This attack vector aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The attack methodology involves social engineering where the attacker persuades a legitimate user to click on a maliciously crafted link that contains XSS payloads. When the victim's browser renders the malicious content, the script executes within the context of the authenticated user's session, potentially allowing the attacker to access sensitive session data, cookies, or perform actions on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable information disclosure and privilege escalation within the web interface's security boundaries.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are significant for organizations relying on Cisco's Registered Envelope Service, as it undermines the integrity of the web-based management interface and creates potential pathways for unauthorized access to sensitive cloud services. Attackers leveraging this flaw could access administrative functions, extract confidential information, or manipulate service configurations through the victim's authenticated session. This vulnerability particularly impacts the principle of least privilege as it allows attackers to potentially elevate their privileges within the service environment. The attack requires user interaction through clicking malicious links, which makes it a medium-severity risk from an exploitation perspective but still poses serious threats to service security. Organizations may face compliance violations and data breaches if this vulnerability is exploited successfully, as it directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of cloud-based service management operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0208 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's codebase. The recommended approach includes validating all user-supplied input against whitelisted patterns and implementing proper output encoding for all dynamic content rendered in the web interface. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to prevent unauthorized script execution and establish strict input sanitization procedures that align with OWASP top ten recommendations. Additionally, regular security code reviews and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application's codebase. Cisco has addressed this vulnerability through software updates and patches that enhance input validation controls and improve the web interface's security posture, requiring administrators to apply these updates promptly to maintain service security. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's web application security categories, where XSS attacks represent a common technique for initial access and privilege escalation within web-based environments.