CVE-2018-15461 in Webex Business Suite
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the MyWebex component of Cisco Webex Business Suite could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by convincing a user to click a crafted URL. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker may provide a link that directs a user to a malicious site and use misleading language or instructions to persuade the user to follow the provided link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15461 resides within the MyWebex component of Cisco Webex Business Suite, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that exposes organizations to significant security risks. This weakness specifically manifests in the insufficient validation of user-supplied input, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary script code into web pages viewed by unsuspecting users. The vulnerability's remote nature eliminates the need for authentication, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring prior access credentials.
The technical exploitation mechanism relies on the fundamental principle of XSS vulnerabilities where malicious scripts are executed in the victim's browser context. In this case, the vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization within the MyWebex component, allowing attackers to craft malicious URLs that, when clicked by a victim, trigger the execution of harmful JavaScript code. The attack vector leverages social engineering techniques where attackers craft deceptive links designed to appear legitimate, often employing misleading language or instructions to manipulate users into clicking the malicious content. This approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes various methods of initial access through spearphishing and social engineering.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the Webex environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive user information, manipulate web content, or redirect users to malicious sites that could further compromise their systems. The vulnerability affects the broader Cisco Webex Business Suite ecosystem, potentially impacting thousands of users who rely on this platform for business communications and collaboration.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigations including input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious scripts from being executed within the application context. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers, proper input sanitization, and regular security assessments of web applications are essential defensive measures. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should be enhanced to recognize suspicious links and phishing attempts that may exploit such vulnerabilities. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user inputs and implementing robust security controls in web applications, aligning with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. Organizations should also maintain updated security patches and conduct regular vulnerability assessments to prevent similar issues from occurring in their web-based services and applications.