CVE-2019-1852 in Prime Network Registrar
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Prime Network Registrar could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the web-based interface. 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 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.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1852 resides within Cisco Prime Network Registrar's web-based management interface, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the system's user authentication and input validation mechanisms. This issue manifests as a cross-site scripting vulnerability that operates without requiring any prior authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for network administrators who rely on the web interface for system management. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization processes that fail to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied data before processing or rendering within the web application's interface. This weakness creates an exploitable entry point where malicious actors can inject arbitrary script code into the web application's response, potentially compromising the security posture of the entire network infrastructure managed by the registrar system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic XSS attack pattern where an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing malicious script code and delivers it to a victim through various social engineering techniques such as phishing emails, compromised websites, or malicious links shared in communication channels. When a legitimate user accesses the crafted malicious link while authenticated to the Cisco Prime Network Registrar interface, the embedded script executes within the user's browser context, effectively allowing the attacker to operate with the privileges and permissions of the authenticated user. This attack vector specifically targets the web-based management interface's failure to properly validate and sanitize input parameters, which aligns with CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, a well-documented weakness in web application security that affects numerous applications across different platforms and vendors. The attack technique follows the methodology outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript category, where adversaries leverage browser-based scripting capabilities to execute malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to access sensitive browser-based information, manipulate the web interface functionality, and potentially escalate privileges within the network management environment. Network administrators who regularly interact with the Cisco Prime Network Registrar interface become primary targets, as their sessions could be hijacked or their access credentials potentially compromised through session manipulation techniques. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers do not require physical access to the network infrastructure, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with distributed network management systems. Additionally, the vulnerability could enable attackers to perform actions such as modifying DNS records, altering network configurations, or accessing confidential network data that the legitimate user has permission to view, thereby creating significant operational disruption and potential security breaches for affected organizations.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by Cisco, which typically address the input validation deficiencies through enhanced sanitization mechanisms. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit exposure of the web interface to trusted networks only, while implementing additional monitoring solutions to detect suspicious activities or unauthorized access attempts. Browser security enhancements such as enabling Content Security Policy (CSP) headers and implementing proper input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network management systems, as the underlying architectural issues that lead to such vulnerabilities often exist across multiple components within enterprise network infrastructure. The remediation process should also include user education programs to raise awareness about social engineering techniques and the importance of verifying links before clicking, particularly when dealing with network management interfaces that may contain sensitive operational information.