CVE-2020-3261 in Mobility Express Software
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Mobility Express Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attack on an affected system. The vulnerability is due to insufficient CSRF protections for the web-based management interface on an affected device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user with an active session on an affected device to follow a malicious link. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to perform arbitrary actions, including modifying the configuration, with the privilege level of the user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-3261 affects Cisco Mobility Express Software, a wireless networking solution designed for small to medium-sized enterprises. This particular flaw resides within the web-based management interface of the software, representing a critical security weakness that could be exploited by remote attackers without requiring authentication credentials. The affected system operates with a web interface that manages wireless network configurations, user access controls, and other administrative functions through standard web protocols. The vulnerability specifically targets the insufficient cross-site request forgery protections that should normally prevent unauthorized actions from being executed on behalf of authenticated users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of request origins and lack of proper anti-CSRF token mechanisms within the web interface. When a user maintains an active session with the Mobility Express software, their browser maintains authentication state that allows access to administrative functions. However, the software fails to properly verify that requests originating from web forms or API endpoints are genuinely authorized by the authenticated user. This weakness creates a scenario where an attacker can craft malicious web pages or links that, when clicked by an authenticated user, automatically submit requests to the vulnerable system. The attack vector relies on social engineering techniques to convince victims to navigate to malicious sites or click on compromised links, leveraging the existing session cookies to execute unauthorized operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as it allows attackers to perform arbitrary administrative actions within the compromised system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially modify wireless network configurations, add or remove user accounts, change authentication parameters, or alter security policies that govern the entire wireless infrastructure. The privilege level of the executed actions corresponds directly to the user who clicks the malicious link, meaning that if an administrator performs the action, the attacker gains administrative privileges within the wireless network. This could lead to complete network compromise, unauthorized access to sensitive data, or disruption of critical business operations that depend on wireless connectivity.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and proper input validation practices. The flaw aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities in web applications. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and initial access through social engineering. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Cisco, implementing network segmentation to limit access to management interfaces, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block CSRF attacks. Additionally, administrative users should be educated about the risks of clicking suspicious links and the importance of verifying the authenticity of web pages before interacting with network management systems. Regular security audits should verify that CSRF protections are properly implemented across all web interfaces and that session management practices follow industry best practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future software versions.