CVE-2018-0465 in Small Business 300
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business 300 Series Managed Switches could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the interface of an affected system. The vulnerability exists because the affected management interface performs insufficient validation of user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user of the interface to click a malicious link. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the context of the affected interface or allow the attacker to access sensitive, browser-based information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0465 resides within the web-based management interface of Cisco Small Business 300 Series Managed Switches, representing a critical security flaw that exposes network infrastructure to remote exploitation. This issue affects a broad range of network equipment that organizations rely upon for secure network operations, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where these switches serve as fundamental components of network infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the switch's management interface, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to manipulate the system through web-based interactions.
The technical flaw manifests as a cross-site scripting vulnerability classified under CWE-79, which occurs when the web interface fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before processing or displaying it within the browser context. This insufficient validation allows malicious payloads to be injected and executed within the victim's browser session, effectively bypassing the intended security boundaries of the management interface. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication credentials from the attacker, enabling remote exploitation from any location with network access to the affected switch. Attackers can craft malicious links containing XSS payloads that, when clicked by an authenticated user within the management interface, execute code in the user's browser context with the privileges of the logged-in session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to access sensitive browser-based information and potentially escalate their privileges within the network management environment. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to steal session cookies, access administrative functions, or even modify switch configurations through the compromised management interface. This represents a significant threat to network security since network administrators typically maintain elevated privileges within these management interfaces, making the compromise of such systems equivalent to gaining unauthorized access to critical network infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access or network proximity to exploit the flaw, further increasing its potential impact across distributed network environments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest firmware updates from Cisco that address the XSS vulnerability, implementing network segmentation to limit access to management interfaces, and deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious payloads. Network administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary web management interfaces and restricting access through network access control lists to minimize exposure windows. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for spearphishing with social engineering, highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive measures that address both technical and human factors in network security. Regular security assessments and monitoring of management interface access logs should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, while employee training programs should emphasize the dangers of clicking suspicious links within administrative interfaces.