CVE-2018-0408 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 reflected 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: CSCvi87330.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0408 affects Cisco Small Business 300 Series Managed Switches, specifically targeting their web-based management interface. This represents a critical security flaw that enables authenticated remote attackers to execute reflected cross-site scripting attacks against legitimate users of the device management interface. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web interface, creating an attack vector that can be exploited through social engineering techniques. The affected devices are commonly deployed in small business environments where network administrators rely on web-based interfaces for device configuration and monitoring, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations with limited cybersecurity resources.
The technical flaw manifests as insufficient validation of user-supplied input within the web-based management interface of the Sx300 series switches. When the interface processes user input without proper sanitization or validation, it fails to distinguish between legitimate data and malicious script code. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications. The reflected nature of the attack means that malicious code is injected into the interface through a crafted URL parameter, which is then reflected back to the victim's browser when they click on the malicious link. The vulnerability is further characterized by its requirement for user interaction, as attackers must persuade victims to click on the specially crafted links that contain the malicious payload.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can potentially enable attackers to access sensitive browser-based information and execute arbitrary code within the context of the web interface. This capability allows for session hijacking, credential theft, and potential privilege escalation within the network management environment. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the management interface, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to network configuration data and device management functions. Organizations relying on these switches for network operations face significant risk, as successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the network management infrastructure and potential lateral movement within the network.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected devices through Cisco's official security advisories and firmware updates. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to management interfaces and employ additional authentication controls such as multi-factor authentication. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script execution and T1566 for social engineering attacks, highlighting the need for both technical and user awareness measures. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads targeting the management interface, while establishing monitoring procedures to detect unusual access patterns or attempts to exploit the XSS vulnerability. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network management systems within the organization's infrastructure.