CVE-2018-0386 in Unified Communications Domain Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in Cisco Unified Communications Domain Manager Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack on an affected system. The vulnerability is due to improper validation of input that is passed to the affected software. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user of the affected software to access a malicious URL. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to access sensitive, browser-based information on the affected system or perform arbitrary actions in the affected software in the security context of the user. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvh49694.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0386 resides within Cisco Unified Communications Domain Manager Software, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that exposes systems to remote exploitation without authentication requirements. This weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the software's processing pipeline, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject harmful scripts into web interfaces. The vulnerability specifically affects the web-based management interface of the unified communications platform, making it accessible to attackers who can manipulate user sessions through carefully crafted malicious URLs.
The technical flaw manifests when user-supplied input fails to undergo proper sanitization before being rendered in web responses, allowing malicious script code to be executed within the context of a victim's browser session. This improper input validation creates a persistent XSS vulnerability that operates at the application layer, enabling attackers to exploit the trust relationship between the web application and the user's browser. The vulnerability's exploitation requires social engineering tactics to convince victims to click on malicious links, but once triggered, it provides attackers with the ability to execute code within the user's browser environment with the privileges of that specific user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive browser-based information, session hijacking, and the potential for privilege escalation within the affected system. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, access user-specific data, perform unauthorized administrative actions, or redirect users to malicious websites. The security implications are particularly severe given that the vulnerability operates in the user's security context, potentially allowing attackers to access confidential communications or manipulate the unified communications environment. This type of vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as a fundamental web application security weakness, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0386 should prioritize immediate software updates from Cisco, specifically addressing the identified bug CSCvh49694 through official patches and security releases. Organizations must implement comprehensive input validation controls at multiple layers of their network infrastructure, including web application firewalls and content filtering systems. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while user education programs should emphasize the dangers of clicking suspicious links and the importance of verifying URL authenticity. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and regular security assessments of web applications can significantly reduce the attack surface and prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.