CVE-2019-16010 in SD-WAN vManage
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web UI of the Cisco SD-WAN vManage software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the web-based management interface of the vManage software. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input by the web-based management interface. 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 interface or access sensitive, browser-based information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16010 affects the Cisco SD-WAN vManage software, specifically targeting its web-based management interface. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the system's user authentication and input validation mechanisms. The vManage platform serves as the central management console for Cisco's Software-Defined Wide Area Network solutions, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on SD-WAN infrastructure for their network operations. The flaw exists within the web UI component that handles user interactions and data processing, creating an attack vector that can be exploited remotely by authenticated users.
This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the web-based management interface of the vManage software, which constitutes a classic cross-site scripting flaw categorized under CWE-79. The insufficient validation allows maliciously crafted user input to be processed without proper sanitization, enabling attackers to inject malicious scripts into the web application. The attack requires an authenticated user to click on a malicious link, which aligns with the common exploitation pattern of XSS vulnerabilities where social engineering plays a crucial role in successful compromise. The vulnerability's design flaw permits attackers to execute arbitrary code within the victim's browser context, potentially gaining access to sensitive session information and browser-based data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to complete session hijacking and unauthorized access to sensitive network management functions. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could potentially access confidential network configurations, user credentials, and operational data that the authenticated user normally has access to within the vManage interface. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the network infrastructure, making the attack surface significantly larger than traditional network-based threats. Organizations using Cisco SD-WAN solutions face potential disruption to their network management operations and exposure of critical infrastructure data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-16010 should focus on immediate patching of the affected vManage software versions, as Cisco has released security updates addressing this specific vulnerability. Network administrators should implement additional security controls such as web application firewalls and input sanitization measures to reduce the attack surface. The implementation of strict access controls and monitoring of user activities within the vManage interface can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and privileged access management to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1566 for phishing, emphasizing the need for both technical and user awareness-based defenses. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning of SD-WAN environments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the network infrastructure.