CVE-2020-3149 in Identity Services Engine
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to perform a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attack on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation by the web-based management interface. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by providing malicious data to a specific field within the interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the context of the affected interface or access sensitive, browser-based information. Cisco ISE Software releases 2.7.0 and later contains the fix for this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-3149 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) Software web-based management interface. This vulnerability exists in software versions 2.7.0 and later, though the specific version range for the vulnerability's presence is not fully specified in the description. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms implemented within the web interface, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject persistent script code into the system. The vulnerability specifically targets the web-based management interface, which serves as the primary administrative portal for configuring and managing Cisco ISE deployments, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise network security infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated attacker who can leverage the insufficient input validation to inject malicious data into specific fields within the web interface. This stored XSS attack allows the attacker to execute arbitrary script code within the context of the affected interface, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries that protect the system. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates through the web management interface, which typically requires valid credentials to access, meaning that an attacker must first establish authentication credentials before exploiting this vulnerability. The successful exploitation enables the attacker to access sensitive browser-based information, potentially including session cookies, user credentials, or other confidential data that might be accessible through the browser context of the authenticated user.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Cisco ISE for network access control and identity management. The stored nature of the XSS attack means that the malicious payload persists within the system, potentially affecting multiple users who access the compromised interface. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the network security infrastructure, as attackers could manipulate the interface to redirect users to malicious sites, steal session tokens, or inject additional malicious content that could propagate throughout the network. The attack could potentially lead to unauthorized access to network resources, disruption of network services, or even facilitate further attacks against the broader network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the fundamental trust model of the web interface, undermining the security assurances that administrators expect when managing their network access control systems.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, beginning with the mandatory upgrade to Cisco ISE Software releases that contain the fix for CVE-2020-3149. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a clear violation of secure input validation principles that are fundamental to web application security. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving web application attacks and session management compromise, potentially enabling adversaries to establish persistent access through the compromised management interface. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to limit access to the web interface, enforcing strict access controls, monitoring for suspicious input patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of the management interfaces. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of validating user inputs at multiple layers within web applications, as the lack of proper input validation creates exploitable entry points that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring solutions specifically designed to detect and prevent XSS attacks targeting web management interfaces.