CVE-2018-0326 in TelePresence Server
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web UI of Cisco TelePresence Server Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-frame scripting (XFS) attack against a user of the web UI of the affected software. The vulnerability is due to insufficient protections for HTML inline frames (iframes) by the web UI of the affected software. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user of the affected UI to navigate to an attacker-controlled web page that contains a malicious HTML iframe. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to conduct click-jacking or other client-side browser attacks on the affected system. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCun79565.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/14/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0326 resides within the web user interface of Cisco TelePresence Server Software, representing a significant security weakness that could be exploited by remote attackers without authentication. This flaw specifically targets the insufficient protection mechanisms implemented for HTML inline frames or iframes within the web UI component of the affected software. The vulnerability stems from inadequate sandboxing and security controls that should normally prevent malicious iframes from executing unauthorized operations within the context of the legitimate web interface. The Cisco TelePresence Server Software serves as a critical component for video conferencing and collaboration systems, making this vulnerability particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of such systems in enterprise environments. The affected software versions typically include various releases of the Cisco TelePresence Server platform that incorporate web-based management interfaces for system configuration and monitoring.
The technical flaw manifests through the absence of proper security controls that should normally restrict how iframes can interact with the parent web page context. When a user accesses the vulnerable web UI, the system fails to implement adequate measures to prevent malicious iframes from executing cross-frame scripting operations. This weakness creates a pathway for attackers to craft malicious web pages that contain specially crafted iframe elements designed to exploit the lack of proper security boundaries. The vulnerability specifically enables attackers to conduct cross-frame scripting attacks, which operate by embedding malicious content within iframes that can manipulate or interfere with the legitimate user interface elements of the TelePresence Server Software. The exploitation process requires social engineering to convince a legitimate user to navigate to a malicious web page, where the attacker-controlled iframe attempts to establish unauthorized communication channels with the target system's web interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables sophisticated client-side attacks that can compromise the integrity of user sessions and potentially lead to unauthorized administrative access. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform click-jacking operations where they overlay transparent or opaque elements on top of legitimate interface controls, tricking users into performing unintended actions. The consequences could include unauthorized configuration changes, session hijacking, or the execution of malicious commands through the compromised web interface. Organizations using Cisco TelePresence Server Software face risks of unauthorized access to their video conferencing systems, which could result in data breaches, service disruption, or the establishment of persistent access points within their networks. The vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where TelePresence systems are used for critical business communications and where unauthorized access could lead to significant operational and security implications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0326 should focus on implementing proper security controls for iframe handling within the web UI and applying vendor-supplied patches as soon as they become available. Organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of inline frames and prevent unauthorized cross-frame scripting operations. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the affected web interfaces to untrusted networks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and also relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for client-side exploitation through web browsers. Cisco has released patches addressing this vulnerability, and system administrators should immediately deploy these updates to protect their environments. Additionally, user education programs should be implemented to raise awareness about the risks of visiting untrusted websites and the potential for social engineering attacks targeting the web interface components of enterprise collaboration systems. Regular security assessments should include verification of iframe security controls and proper implementation of web application security measures to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the system.