CVE-2018-0450 in Data Center Network Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Data Center Network Manager could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the management interface on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input by the web-based management interface. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user of the interface to click a customized link. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the context of the interface or access sensitive browser-based information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0450 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco Data Center Network Manager's web-based management interface. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing. The vulnerability affects Cisco Data Center Network Manager versions prior to 10.4.1 and 10.5.1, creating a significant attack surface for remote threat actors who can exploit this weakness without requiring authentication credentials. The flaw specifically resides in the web interface's handling of user input, where malicious data can be injected and subsequently executed within the browser context of authenticated users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic XSS attack pattern where an attacker crafts malicious URLs containing script payloads that are then delivered to unsuspecting users through social engineering tactics. When a victim clicks on the malicious link while authenticated to the management interface, the injected scripts execute within the victim's browser session, potentially allowing attackers to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or perform unauthorized actions within the application. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can be leveraged to access browser-based information and manipulate the user's interaction with the management interface.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or sanitization. The attack vector falls under the category of reflected XSS attacks where malicious input is immediately reflected back to the user through the application's response. From an operational perspective, the vulnerability poses significant risk to data center security as it allows attackers to compromise the management interface of critical network infrastructure. The impact includes potential unauthorized access to network configuration data, ability to manipulate network policies, and possible escalation to more severe attacks within the data center environment. Organizations utilizing Cisco Data Center Network Manager are particularly vulnerable as the attack requires no authentication and can be executed remotely.
The attack methodology typically involves crafting malicious payloads that exploit the input validation gaps in the web interface, then delivering these payloads through phishing emails, compromised websites, or other social engineering techniques. The attacker's goal is to convince users to click on malicious links while they are authenticated to the management interface, thereby executing scripts in the context of the user's session. This creates a persistent threat where attackers can access sensitive network information, modify configurations, or establish persistent access to the data center infrastructure. The vulnerability's severity is compounded by the fact that it affects the management interface itself, potentially providing attackers with elevated privileges within the network environment.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Cisco Data Center Network Manager versions 10.4.1 or 10.5.1, which contain patches addressing this vulnerability. Network segmentation and monitoring of web interface traffic can help detect suspicious activity related to XSS attempts. Additionally, implementing content security policies and input validation measures can provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls to prevent exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in network management interfaces.