CVE-2022-20657 in Evolved Programmable Network Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 11/15/2024
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco PI and Cisco EPNM could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct an XSS attack against a user of the interface of an affected device. This vulnerability exists because the web-based management interface does not properly validate user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user of an affected interface to click a crafted link. 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 has released software updates that address these vulnerabilities. There are no workarounds that address these vulnerabilities.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20657 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the web-based management interfaces of Cisco Prime Infrastructure (PI) and Cisco Enterprise Network Function Manager (EPNM). This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing within the web application environment. The vulnerability affects Cisco's network management platforms that are widely deployed in enterprise environments for monitoring and managing network infrastructure components. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious scripts against authenticated users who interact with the affected management interfaces, potentially compromising the security posture of entire network operations centers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted malicious link that an attacker would need to诱导 a victim user to click. This type of attack follows the classic pattern of social engineering combined with web application exploitation, where the attacker crafts a malicious URL containing XSS payload that gets executed when the user's browser renders the page. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it could potentially allow attackers to access sensitive browser-based information, including session cookies and other authentication tokens that might be stored in the user's browser. This access could lead to session hijacking and unauthorized access to the network management interface, potentially enabling attackers to perform administrative actions or extract confidential network information.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can create persistent security weaknesses in enterprise management interfaces. The attack vector described in the vulnerability assessment follows the ATT&CK framework's T1566 technique for Initial Access through spearphishing, where the malicious link serves as the delivery mechanism for the XSS payload. The fact that this vulnerability affects management interfaces makes it particularly dangerous as it could provide attackers with elevated privileges and access to critical network infrastructure controls. Organizations relying on Cisco PI and EPNM systems face significant risk from this vulnerability, as successful exploitation could result in complete compromise of the network management environment.
Cisco has addressed this vulnerability through official software updates that implement proper input validation mechanisms and sanitization procedures for user-supplied data within the web-based management interfaces. The company's response demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches in enterprise network management systems where vulnerabilities can have cascading effects on overall network security. Security teams should immediately implement the available patches and conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to ensure complete remediation of this XSS vulnerability. Organizations without immediate access to patching capabilities should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring controls to detect potential exploitation attempts, though no permanent workarounds exist that address the core validation flaw in the affected software components. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in web-based management interfaces that handle sensitive administrative functions.