CVE-2018-0399 in Finesse
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of Cisco Finesse could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to retrieve a cleartext password from an affected system. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvg71044.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0399 represents a critical security flaw in Cisco Finesse's web-based management interface that exposes sensitive authentication credentials to unauthenticated remote attackers. This issue affects Cisco Finesse versions prior to 12.0.1 and stems from improper handling of password information within the web interface components. The vulnerability specifically allows attackers to extract cleartext passwords from the affected system without requiring any authentication credentials, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on this customer relationship management platform. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the application's security architecture where sensitive data is not adequately protected during transmission or storage within the web interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the web-based management interface where password information is exposed in cleartext format. Attackers can exploit this weakness by leveraging the web interface's authentication mechanisms to access password fields that should remain protected and encrypted. This issue falls under CWE-522, which addresses insufficiently protected credentials, and represents a classic example of insecure credential storage and transmission. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer, where attackers can directly interact with the web interface to extract sensitive information without needing to bypass network-level security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with unrestricted access to the affected Cisco Finesse system. Once an attacker obtains the cleartext password, they can authenticate as legitimate users and potentially escalate privileges within the system. This access could enable further exploitation including data exfiltration, system modification, or use of the compromised credentials for lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability also impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the system, as it allows unauthorized access to sensitive customer data managed through the Finesse platform. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing), as attackers could use the stolen credentials to maintain persistent access and potentially expand their attack surface.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Cisco Finesse version 12.0.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the cleartext password exposure issue. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the web interface to trusted networks only, reducing the attack surface for remote exploitation. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns or attempts to access password fields within the web interface. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough credential reviews and implement multi-factor authentication where possible to reduce the impact of credential compromise. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, particularly when handling sensitive authentication data within web applications. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other web-based management interfaces within the organization's infrastructure.