CVE-2018-15445 in Energy Management Suite
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Energy Management Suite Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attack and perform arbitrary actions on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to insufficient CSRF protections for the web-based management interface of an affected device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading an authenticated user of the interface to follow a crafted link. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to perform arbitrary actions on a targeted device via a web browser and with the privileges of the user.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15445 represents a critical cross-site request forgery weakness within Cisco Energy Management Suite Software, specifically affecting the web-based management interface. This flaw resides in the software's insufficient protection mechanisms against CSRF attacks, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on Cisco's energy management solutions. The vulnerability impacts devices running the affected software versions where the web interface lacks proper anti-CSRF token validation and protection measures. Security researchers have classified this issue as a serious concern due to its ability to enable authenticated remote attackers to execute unauthorized operations on target systems, potentially compromising the integrity and availability of energy management operations.
The technical exploitation of this CSRF vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious link or web page that, when clicked by an authenticated user, automatically submits requests to the vulnerable web interface. The flaw stems from the absence of proper CSRF token validation within the web application's request processing logic. This allows attackers to leverage the victim's existing authenticated session to perform actions such as modifying device configurations, accessing sensitive data, or executing administrative commands. The vulnerability specifically affects the web-based management interface component of the Cisco Energy Management Suite, which typically handles configuration management, monitoring, and control functions for energy infrastructure. Attackers can exploit this weakness by embedding malicious requests within seemingly benign web content, tricking users into executing unauthorized operations without their knowledge or consent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can lead to significant disruptions in energy management operations and potential security breaches. Organizations using affected Cisco Energy Management Suite software face risks including unauthorized configuration changes that could compromise energy infrastructure integrity, data exfiltration from management interfaces, and potential escalation of privileges within the energy management ecosystem. The attack vector relies on social engineering techniques where users are tricked into clicking malicious links, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple administrators access the same management interface. This vulnerability can result in operational downtime, compliance violations, and potential safety risks in energy infrastructure management, particularly in critical facilities such as data centers, manufacturing plants, or utility operations where energy management systems are essential for operations.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this CSRF vulnerability effectively. The primary recommendation involves applying Cisco's official security patches and updates that include proper CSRF token validation mechanisms for the web interface. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected management interface to only authorized personnel and systems. Regular security audits should verify that CSRF protections are properly configured and functioning within the web applications. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring tools can help detect and prevent suspicious CSRF attack patterns. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators should emphasize the dangers of clicking untrusted links and the importance of verifying the authenticity of web content. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for credential access through web application attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication for management interfaces and regular penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their energy management systems and broader network infrastructure.