CVE-2018-15423 in HyperFlex Software
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web UI of Cisco HyperFlex Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to affect the integrity of a device via a clickjacking attack. The vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation of iFrame data in HTTP requests that are sent to an affected device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTP packets with malicious iFrame data. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to perform a clickjacking attack where the user is tricked into clicking a malicious link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15423 represents a critical security flaw in Cisco HyperFlex Software's web user interface that enables unauthenticated remote attackers to compromise device integrity through clickjacking techniques. This vulnerability specifically targets the insufficient input validation mechanisms implemented within the software's HTTP request processing, particularly concerning iFrame data handling. The flaw exists at the application layer where the web interface fails to properly validate and sanitize iFrame content received from external sources, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors without requiring any authentication credentials or prior access to the system. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data exposure as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the device by enabling attackers to manipulate user interactions through deceptive web interface elements.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the attacker's ability to craft malicious HTTP requests containing specially formatted iFrame data that can be processed by the affected Cisco HyperFlex Software components. When a user interacts with the vulnerable web interface, the malicious iFrame content can be embedded within legitimate web pages or delivered through phishing attacks, creating a deceptive user experience where the victim's actions are manipulated without their knowledge or consent. This clickjacking attack vector operates by overlaying transparent or opaque web elements on top of legitimate interface controls, causing users to inadvertently perform actions they would not normally execute. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that align with CWE-79, which addresses cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities, though this particular instance focuses on iFrame manipulation rather than direct script injection. The attack chain typically involves the attacker constructing malicious HTTP packets containing iFrame references that, when processed by the vulnerable software, create a deceptive interface that tricks users into performing unintended operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-15423 extends beyond immediate user deception to potentially enable more severe consequences including unauthorized configuration changes, data manipulation, or privilege escalation within the affected HyperFlex environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to perform actions such as modifying device settings, accessing sensitive configuration data, or redirecting system functionality through carefully crafted user interactions. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where multiple HyperFlex systems may be deployed across various locations. Organizations utilizing Cisco HyperFlex Software in production environments face significant risk as this vulnerability could be exploited by threat actors to gain unauthorized control over critical infrastructure components, potentially leading to service disruption, data integrity compromise, or further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would likely fall under the Tactic of Persistence or Privilege Escalation, depending on the specific actions enabled by the successful exploitation.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including the deployment of web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious iFrame content, implementation of Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized frame embedding, and the application of Cisco's official security patches released to address this specific vulnerability. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be enhanced to detect anomalous HTTP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while user education programs should emphasize the dangers of clicking suspicious links or visiting untrusted websites that may contain malicious iFrame content. The remediation process requires careful consideration of the software update cycle to ensure that all affected HyperFlex appliances receive the necessary patches without disrupting ongoing operations, particularly in mission-critical environments where system uptime is essential. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potential clickjacking vulnerabilities within the broader network infrastructure and ensure that all web applications implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar exploitation vectors from being present in the organization's attack surface.