CVE-2018-0407 in Small Business 300
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business 300 Series (Sx300) Managed Switches could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct a persistent cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the web-based management interface of an affected device. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input by the web-based management interface of an affected device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user of the interface to click a crafted link. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the context of the interface or allow the attacker to access sensitive browser-based information. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvi87326.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0407 affects Cisco Small Business 300 Series Managed Switches, specifically targeting their web-based management interface. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the device's administrative access controls and exposes organizations to potential persistent cross-site scripting attacks. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web interface, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the system through crafted user-supplied data. The affected devices operate within small business environments where network administrators typically rely on web-based interfaces for device management, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations that may lack advanced security monitoring capabilities. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, where insufficient validation of input data allows malicious scripts to be injected into web applications. This particular vulnerability is categorized as a persistent XSS attack, meaning that the malicious script can remain embedded within the application and execute repeatedly whenever the affected page is loaded or interacted with by a user.
The exploitation of CVE-2018-0407 requires an authenticated attacker who can successfully convince a legitimate user of the web interface to click on a maliciously crafted link. This social engineering component makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it relies on human interaction to achieve its objectives. The attack vector operates through the web-based management interface, which typically provides administrators with comprehensive control over switch configurations, monitoring capabilities, and network settings. When a user clicks the malicious link, the attacker's script code executes within the context of the web interface, potentially allowing for complete compromise of the administrative session. The consequences of a successful exploitation include the ability to execute arbitrary script code that could manipulate switch configurations, steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or extract sensitive information from the browser environment. The vulnerability specifically affects the Sx300 series switches, which are designed for small business environments where network security may not be as robust as in enterprise deployments, making these devices prime targets for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of affected networks. Organizations utilizing these switches may experience unauthorized access to critical network management functions, potentially leading to network disruption, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within the network. The persistent nature of the XSS attack means that once exploited, the malicious script can continue to operate across multiple user sessions and interactions with the affected interface. This characteristic makes detection and remediation particularly challenging, as the malicious code can remain dormant until activated by user interaction, and may persist through system restarts or configuration changes. The vulnerability also undermines the trust model of the web interface, as users cannot be certain that their interactions with the management console are secure from malicious interference. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1059.007 (Scripting) and T1566 (Phishing) as it enables attackers to execute malicious scripts and leverage social engineering to deliver the attack payload. Network administrators may find that their ability to securely manage network infrastructure is compromised, potentially leading to unauthorized configuration changes, network monitoring, or even complete network takeover.
Organizations affected by CVE-2018-0407 should prioritize immediate remediation through official Cisco software updates and patches. The vulnerability requires proper input validation implementation to prevent user-supplied data from being executed as code within the web interface. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly around web interface access patterns and unusual script execution. Regular security assessments of network management interfaces are essential to identify similar validation flaws that may exist in other network equipment. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of user education and awareness programs to prevent successful social engineering attacks that could lead to exploitation. Organizations should consider implementing additional authentication measures for web-based management interfaces, such as multi-factor authentication, to reduce the risk of unauthorized access even if input validation vulnerabilities exist. The incident underscores the necessity of maintaining current security patches and the importance of regularly reviewing network infrastructure for potential security flaws that could be exploited by determined attackers.