CVE-2021-1500 in Webex Video Mesh
Summary
by MITRE • 11/04/2021
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Webex Video Mesh could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to redirect a user to a malicious web page. This vulnerability is due to improper input validation of the URL parameters in an HTTP request. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user to click a crafted link. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to redirect a user to a malicious website. Attackers may use this type of vulnerability, known as an open redirect attack, as part of a phishing attack to persuade users to unknowingly visit malicious sites.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2021
This vulnerability resides within the web-based management interface of Cisco Webex Video Mesh, representing a critical security flaw that undermines user trust and system integrity. The issue manifests as an improper input validation mechanism that fails to adequately sanitize URL parameters within HTTP requests, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to manipulate the application's redirection behavior. The vulnerability specifically affects the authentication flow and user navigation pathways, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently interact with web-based management interfaces. This flaw demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the application's security architecture, where input validation controls are insufficient to prevent malicious parameter manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic open redirect pattern where HTTP request parameters containing URL values are not properly validated or sanitized before being used in redirect operations. When a user clicks on a maliciously crafted link, the application processes the unvalidated URL parameter and executes an unintended redirect to an attacker-controlled domain. This behavior violates the principle of least privilege and fails to implement proper input sanitization techniques. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no authentication credentials to exploit, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to conduct large-scale phishing campaigns. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-601 Open Redirect vulnerability classification, which specifically addresses the risk of redirecting users to untrusted domains through improperly validated input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple redirection attacks, creating a foundation for more sophisticated social engineering campaigns that can compromise user credentials and sensitive information. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to craft convincing phishing URLs that appear legitimate within the context of the Webex Video Mesh interface, increasing the likelihood of user deception. The attack vector is particularly effective because it exploits user trust in the legitimate application interface, making it difficult for users to distinguish between genuine and malicious redirects. Organizations using Cisco Webex Video Mesh face significant risk of credential theft, data exfiltration, and reputation damage if this vulnerability remains unpatched. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in environments where users have administrative access to the web interface, as successful exploitation could lead to privilege escalation and further network compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Cisco, following the vendor's security advisory and release notes for the applicable software versions. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring and filtering suspicious redirect patterns in network traffic. Organizations should implement strict input validation policies that enforce whitelisting of redirect destinations and reject any URL parameters that do not conform to predefined security standards. Security awareness training programs should educate users about recognizing potential phishing attempts and the dangers of clicking untrusted links, particularly those originating from email communications or unexpected sources. The implementation of content security policies and browser-based security controls can further reduce the attack surface by preventing automatic redirection to untrusted domains. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar validation flaws in other web applications within the organization's attack surface, as this vulnerability represents a common pattern that may exist in other systems. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous redirect behavior and alert security teams to potential exploitation attempts.