CVE-2018-0414 in Secure Access Control Server
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based UI of Cisco Secure Access Control Server could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to gain read access to certain information in an affected system. The vulnerability is due to improper handling of XML External Entities (XXEs) when parsing an XML file. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by convincing the administrator of an affected system to import a crafted XML file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0414 represents a critical security flaw within the web-based user interface of Cisco Secure Access Control Server products. This weakness stems from inadequate validation and handling of XML External Entities during the processing of XML input files. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of several cybersecurity domains including web application security, XML parsing mechanisms, and privilege escalation vectors. The affected system's web interface fails to properly sanitize XML inputs, creating an attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the classic XXE attack pattern where an attacker crafts a malicious XML file containing external entity references that can be processed by the vulnerable system. When an authenticated administrator imports this crafted XML file into the Cisco Secure Access Control Server, the system's XML parser inadvertently resolves external entity references, potentially exposing internal system information, file contents, or network resources. This flaw specifically manifests when the web-based management interface processes XML data without proper input validation, allowing attackers to leverage XML parsing behaviors to extract unauthorized information from the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0414 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with a pathway to escalate privileges and potentially gain deeper system access. The requirement for administrative authentication creates a specific attack vector that targets the trust relationship between legitimate administrators and the system. Attackers must first establish authentication credentials before exploiting this vulnerability, but once achieved, they can access sensitive configuration data, user information, and potentially system internals that should remain protected. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-611, which catalogs improper access control in XML processing, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data from information repositories.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected Cisco Secure Access Control Server versions, as well as implementation of network segmentation and access controls to limit administrative access. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter XML content entering the system, while also implementing strict input validation controls for all XML processing operations. The solution approach must include disabling external entity resolution in XML parsers, implementing proper authentication controls, and conducting regular security assessments of web-based management interfaces. Additionally, administrators should be educated about the risks of importing untrusted XML files and the importance of verifying content integrity before system import operations. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper XML security implementation and highlights the need for comprehensive input validation across all system components that process structured data formats.