CVE-2018-15426 in Unity Connection
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based interface of Cisco Unity Connection could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the web-based interface of the affected software. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input that is processed by the web-based interface of the affected software. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user of the web-based interface to click a malicious 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 • 05/22/2023
Cisco Unity Connection represents a unified communications platform that integrates voicemail, email, and messaging services within enterprise environments. The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-15426 specifically targets the web-based administrative interface of this platform, which serves as the primary management console for system administrators. This interface handles various user inputs including configuration parameters, user accounts, and system settings that are processed and displayed within the browser environment. The web interface operates under the assumption that legitimate users will provide valid input, creating a potential attack vector when malicious data is accepted without proper sanitization or validation.
The technical flaw manifests as insufficient input validation within the web application's processing pipeline. When user-supplied data enters the system through various input fields or parameters, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate this information before it is rendered back to users in the web interface. This weakness allows malicious input to be stored within the application's database or memory structures and subsequently executed when other users access the affected interface. The vulnerability specifically affects the stored XSS mechanism where malicious scripts are permanently stored and executed when victims view the compromised content, rather than requiring immediate interaction with a malicious link.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with significant privileges within the compromised environment. An authenticated attacker with access to the web interface can craft malicious payloads that persist in the system and execute against other users who view the affected pages. This creates a persistent threat vector that can compromise multiple users over time, potentially leading to complete system takeover. The attack requires minimal technical expertise to exploit since it relies on social engineering to convince users to click malicious links, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where administrators frequently interact with web interfaces. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the communication system by allowing unauthorized code execution and potential data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-15426 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the web application. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied data undergoes strict sanitization before being stored or rendered in the interface, following established security practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers, proper HTML encoding of output, and regular input validation should be enforced to prevent malicious scripts from being executed. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the scope of potential exploitation, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the web-based interface. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and systems, aligning with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's approach to identifying and mitigating web application vulnerabilities through comprehensive security controls and access restrictions.