CVE-2018-0289 in Identity Services Engine
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the logs component of Cisco Identity Services Engine could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct cross-site scripting attacks. The vulnerability is due to improper validation of requests stored in logs in the application management interface. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending malicious requests to the targeted system. An exploit could allow the attacker to conduct cross-site scripting attacks when an administrator views the log files. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvh11308.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0289 resides within the logs component of Cisco Identity Services Engine software, representing a critical security flaw that enables unauthenticated remote attackers to execute cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the application management interface where log files are stored and displayed, creating a persistent threat vector that can compromise administrative sessions and user interactions with the system's logging functionality. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or escape malicious content embedded within log entries, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of privileged administrator sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic cross-site scripting weakness where the application fails to validate or sanitize user-supplied data before storing it in log files and subsequently rendering it in the web interface. When administrators access the log management interface to view system logs, the maliciously crafted requests that were previously stored in the logs are executed within the browser context of the logged-in administrator. This creates a persistent threat where attackers can embed malicious scripts within log entries through various means such as crafting specific network requests, exploiting other vulnerabilities to inject data into logs, or manipulating system components that generate log entries. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer and requires no authentication to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can influence log content.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0289 extends far beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to complete administrative compromise of the Cisco Identity Services Engine environment. When successful, the vulnerability allows attackers to steal session cookies, redirect administrators to malicious sites, inject malicious content into the management interface, and potentially escalate privileges within the system. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust relationship between administrators and the logging interface, where administrators routinely view system logs to monitor for security incidents. This creates a scenario where legitimate administrative activities become the attack surface, making detection more difficult and potentially allowing attackers to maintain persistent access while appearing to be normal system operations. The vulnerability also impacts the integrity of system logs, which are critical for security monitoring, incident response, and compliance auditing activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0289 should prioritize immediate implementation of Cisco's official security patches and updates, which address the improper input validation issues in the logging component. Organizations must ensure comprehensive patch management processes are in place to maintain up-to-date security configurations across all Cisco Identity Services Engine deployments. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the management interfaces, while additional monitoring should be deployed to detect unusual log entry patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script execution through web interfaces. Regular security assessments should include testing for similar input validation flaws in other application components, while administrators should be trained to recognize signs of log-based attacks and maintain proper log integrity controls. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls and input sanitization measures to provide additional protection layers against similar vulnerabilities in other components of their security infrastructure.