CVE-2019-16015 in Data Center Analytics Framework
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of the Cisco Data Center Analytics Framework application could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the interface of an affected system. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input by the web-based management interface of the affected software. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user of the 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 allow the attacker to access sensitive, browser-based information on the affected system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16015 resides within the web-based management interface of Cisco Data Center Analytics Framework, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the application's user authentication and input validation mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically targets the application's handling of user-supplied data within its web interface, creating an exploitable condition that enables malicious actors to manipulate the system through reflected cross-site scripting techniques. The flaw manifests when the application fails to adequately sanitize or validate input parameters received from external sources, allowing malicious payloads to be injected and subsequently executed within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic reflected XSS attack pattern where an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing crafted script code that gets reflected back to the victim's browser through the vulnerable web interface. This type of attack requires social engineering to convince a legitimate user to click on the malicious link, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages user trust and browser-based execution contexts. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution, as it can potentially enable attackers to access sensitive browser-based information, manipulate user sessions, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. This weakness directly maps to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities as a fundamental flaw in web application security where untrusted data is improperly handled within the application's user interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-16015 is significant for organizations utilizing Cisco Data Center Analytics Framework, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited without requiring authentication credentials. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code within the context of the affected web interface, potentially leading to complete system compromise or unauthorized access to sensitive operational data. The reflected nature of this XSS attack means that the malicious payload is immediately reflected back to the victim's browser upon interaction with the crafted link, making the exploitation process swift and efficient. Organizations with extensive data center analytics deployments face heightened risk, as this vulnerability could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to critical infrastructure monitoring data and potentially escalate privileges within the affected systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass multiple layers of defense to protect against reflected XSS attacks targeting the web interface. The primary recommendation involves implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's web interface to prevent malicious scripts from being executed. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the vulnerable management interface to untrusted networks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase. Additionally, implementing content security policies and using web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also maintain strict patch management protocols to ensure timely deployment of vendor-provided security updates and fixes. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers Scripting through reflected XSS attacks, emphasizing the need for robust application security controls and user education to prevent successful exploitation attempts.