CVE-2019-1677 in WebEx Meetings Application
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in Cisco Webex Meetings for Android could allow an unauthenticated, local attacker to perform a cross-site scripting attack against the application. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of the application input parameters. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a malicious request to the Webex Meetings application through an intent. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute script code in the context of the Webex Meetings application. Versions prior to 11.7.0.236 are affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1677 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in Cisco Webex Meetings for Android applications. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the mobile application's intent handling system, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary script code. The vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 11.7.0.236, indicating that Cisco had not yet implemented sufficient protections against this particular attack vector when the flaw was discovered. The flaw resides in the application's inability to properly sanitize or validate data received through Android intents, which are used to communicate between different components or applications on the mobile platform.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious intent that contains crafted script code designed to be executed within the Webex Meetings application context. This attack vector leverages the Android application's intent system, which allows different applications to communicate and share data seamlessly. When the vulnerable Webex Meetings application processes this malicious intent, it fails to validate the input parameters properly, enabling the attacker to inject script code that executes in the application's security context. This creates a persistent threat where the attacker can potentially access sensitive user data, manipulate application behavior, or even escalate privileges within the application's operational environment. The vulnerability is classified as a client-side attack that bypasses traditional server-side security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of user interactions within the Webex Meetings application. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially access meeting data, user credentials, or other sensitive information that users might share during meetings. The local nature of the attack means that the malicious intent does not require network connectivity or external server compromise, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed through local device manipulation or social engineering techniques. This flaw undermines the trust model of the application, as users expect their meetings and communications to remain secure within the application's boundaries. The vulnerability also creates potential for further exploitation, as successful script execution could lead to more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting, data exfiltration, or even device compromise.
Cisco addressed this vulnerability by releasing version 11.7.0.236 and later, which included enhanced input validation mechanisms specifically designed to prevent malicious intent processing. The fix involved implementing stricter sanitization of all input parameters received through Android intents, ensuring that any potentially harmful content is properly escaped or rejected before processing. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of this update across all affected devices to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Additional mitigations include implementing mobile device management policies that restrict application permissions and monitoring for unusual intent processing patterns. Security teams should also consider network-based detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for handling potential breaches. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure intent handling in mobile applications and aligns with common weakness enumerations such as CWE-79 for cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. The attack pattern follows typical tactics used in mobile application exploitation, potentially mapping to ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access through application-level vulnerabilities.