CVE-2018-0482 in Prime Network Control System
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Prime Network Control System could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the web interface of the affected system. 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 malicious link. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the context of the web-based management interface or allow the attacker to access sensitive browser-based information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0482 resides within the web-based management interface of Cisco Prime Network Control System, representing a critical security weakness that enables authenticated remote attackers to execute stored cross-site scripting attacks. This flaw specifically targets the input validation mechanisms employed by the affected system's web interface, creating an avenue for malicious actors to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability's classification as a stored XSS issue means that malicious payloads are persistently stored on the server and executed whenever affected users access the compromised interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over time without requiring repeated exploitation attempts.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input within the web-based management interface components of the Cisco Prime Network Control System. This inadequate input sanitization allows malicious data to be accepted and subsequently stored within the system's database or application memory. When legitimate users subsequently access the web interface and encounter the maliciously stored content, their browsers execute the embedded scripts in the context of the vulnerable application, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can potentially enable attackers to access sensitive browser-based information, manipulate user sessions, and perform actions on behalf of authenticated users.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0482 is significant for organizations relying on Cisco Prime Network Control System for network management operations. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to network configuration data, potentially compromising network security policies and operational integrity. The authenticated nature of the attack means that attackers must first obtain valid credentials, but this requirement does not eliminate the threat as compromised accounts can lead to extensive damage. The stored nature of the XSS attack allows for persistent compromise of the management interface, enabling attackers to maintain access over extended periods while remaining undetected. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-79, which addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script execution, particularly in web-based environments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by Cisco to address the input validation deficiencies in the web interface. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit exposure of the management interface to trusted networks only. Regular monitoring of web interface logs for suspicious activity and user behavior anomalies should be implemented as part of ongoing security operations. Security awareness training for network administrators can help prevent social engineering attacks that might be used to deliver malicious links to targeted users. Additionally, implementing content security policies and input sanitization measures within the web application framework can provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, as specified in OWASP Top Ten categories and security standards such as NIST SP 800-160 for secure software development practices.