CVE-2019-1973 in Enterprise NFV Infrastructure Software
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web portal framework of Cisco Enterprise NFV Infrastructure Software (NFVIS) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the web-based interface. The vulnerability is due to improper input validation of log file content stored on the affected device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by modifying a log file with malicious code and getting a user to view the modified log file. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the context of the affected interface or to access sensitive, browser-based information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1973 resides within Cisco Enterprise NFVIS, a critical component of the company's network function virtualization infrastructure software that serves as the foundation for deploying and managing virtualized network services. This web portal framework represents a central administrative interface for NFVIS deployments, making it a prime target for cyber adversaries seeking to compromise network infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the system's log file handling processes, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject harmful code into the web interface. The flaw specifically affects how the system processes and displays log file content, failing to properly sanitize or escape potentially malicious input before rendering it in the user's browser environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-defined attack pattern that aligns with common cross-site scripting methodologies and maps directly to CWE-79, which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web output. An authenticated attacker with access to the NFVIS system can manipulate log files by injecting malicious JavaScript code or other harmful payloads into the stored content. When a legitimate user subsequently views these modified log entries through the web interface, the malicious code executes within the user's browser context, potentially compromising the session or stealing sensitive information. This attack vector demonstrates the classic characteristics of reflected XSS attacks, where the malicious input is stored on the server and then executed when accessed by other users, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where administrative privileges may be involved.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to conduct more sophisticated attacks within the compromised environment. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to access sensitive browser-based information, manipulate the web interface to perform unauthorized actions, or even escalate privileges within the NFVIS system. The vulnerability's authentication requirement does not significantly limit its threat potential, as gaining access to the system often involves compromising legitimate administrative credentials or exploiting other initial access vectors. Organizations running Cisco NFVIS deployments face significant risk, as the web interface serves as the primary management point for critical network infrastructure, making it a high-value target for both persistent threat actors and opportunistic attackers seeking to establish long-term access to enterprise networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-1973 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all web applications within the NFVIS environment. Organizations must ensure that log file content undergoes proper sanitization before being displayed in web interfaces, implementing strict content filtering and escape sequences to prevent malicious code execution. The remediation process requires updating to Cisco's patched versions of the NFVIS software, which address the input validation deficiencies through enhanced sanitization routines and improved content handling protocols. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the scope of potential exploitation, while regular security assessments should verify that no other components within the NFVIS ecosystem contain similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting, emphasizing the need for robust web application security controls and regular vulnerability assessments to prevent unauthorized code execution in administrative interfaces.