CVE-2019-15968 in Unified Communications Domain Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Unified Communications Domain Manager (Unified CDM) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the web-based management interface of an affected system. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input by the web-based management interface of an affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user of the interface to click a crafted link. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the context of the affected interface or access sensitive, browser-based information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15968 affects Cisco Unified Communications Domain Manager, a critical component in enterprise communication infrastructures that manages unified communications domains. This web-based management interface serves as the primary administrative portal for configuring and monitoring communication systems, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise enterprise communication networks. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web interface, specifically failing to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing or rendering it back to the browser. This flaw represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by authenticated users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated attacker who can leverage the web interface to craft malicious links designed to exploit the insufficient input validation. The attack vector involves social engineering tactics where the attacker persuades a legitimate user of the management interface to click on a maliciously crafted link. When the victim clicks the link, the malicious script executes within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially allowing the attacker to perform actions as if they were the authenticated user. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution, as it could enable attackers to access sensitive browser-based information, steal session cookies, or perform unauthorized administrative actions within the unified communications domain. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on Cisco Unified CDM for their communication infrastructure management. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to sensitive communication data, potentially leading to complete compromise of the unified communications domain. The authenticated nature of the attack means that the attacker must already have legitimate credentials to the system, but this does not significantly reduce the risk as these credentials could be obtained through various means including credential theft, social engineering, or insider threats. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the management interface, potentially allowing attackers to modify system configurations, view sensitive user data, or establish persistent access points within the communication network. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically scripting languages executed in web browsers, and T1566 for Phishing, as the attack requires user interaction through crafted links.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Cisco, which would address the input validation deficiencies in the web interface. Network segmentation and monitoring of web interface traffic can help detect suspicious activities related to XSS attempts. Additional defensive measures include implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, regular security assessments of web applications, and user education regarding phishing attempts and suspicious links. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, as recommended by OWASP Top Ten security practices and the Secure Coding guidelines established by NIST. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads targeting such vulnerabilities in the management interface.