CVE-2022-20641 in Security Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 01/14/2022
Multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of Cisco Security Manager could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct cross-site scripting attacks against a user of the interface. These vulnerabilities are due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input by the web-based management interface. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by persuading a user to click a crafted link. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the context of the interface or access sensitive, browser-based information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20641 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco Security Manager's web-based management interface, demonstrating a fundamental weakness in input validation mechanisms that could be exploited by unauthenticated remote attackers. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input within its web interface components, creating an attack surface that directly violates core security principles of input sanitization and output encoding. The flaw specifically manifests when the system fails to adequately validate and sanitize data submitted through web forms, URL parameters, or other user interaction points within the management interface, allowing malicious payloads to be injected and executed within the context of legitimate user sessions. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses in web applications, where insufficient input validation creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the victim's browser environment.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal attacker interaction through social engineering tactics, specifically by crafting malicious links that, when clicked by an authenticated user within the web interface, trigger the execution of malicious JavaScript code. This attack vector leverages the trust relationship between the user and the application, making it particularly dangerous as users may not recognize the malicious nature of the crafted links until after they have been clicked. The attack scenario typically involves an attacker creating a malicious URL containing crafted script payloads that, when executed in the victim's browser, can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or extracting sensitive information from the browser's memory. The operational impact extends beyond simple script execution, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to access sensitive browser-based information, manipulate application functionality, or establish persistent access through session hijacking techniques that align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting and T1531 for credential access through web-based attacks.
The technical implications of CVE-2022-20641 underscore the critical importance of implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms within web applications, particularly those handling sensitive security management functions. Organizations utilizing Cisco Security Manager face significant operational risks as this vulnerability could allow attackers to compromise the integrity of the security management interface, potentially leading to unauthorized access to security policies, configuration changes, or the ability to monitor and manipulate network security controls. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning given that Cisco Security Manager typically manages critical network security infrastructure, meaning a successful exploitation could provide attackers with elevated privileges and access to sensitive security data. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation makes this vulnerability especially dangerous as it can be leveraged against any user who interacts with the maliciously crafted links, regardless of their administrative privileges. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected systems, implementation of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script payloads, and enhanced user education regarding the dangers of clicking suspicious links. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing content security policies and input sanitization measures that align with industry best practices for preventing cross-site scripting attacks, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly validated and escaped before being rendered in web pages to prevent the execution of unauthorized script code as recommended by both CWE guidelines and ATT&CK framework methodologies for defending against web-based exploitation techniques.