CVE-2022-20671 in Common Services Platform Collector
Summary
by MITRE • 05/27/2022
Multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of Cisco Common Services Platform Collector (CSPC) Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack 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 of the interface 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 • 06/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20671 affects Cisco Common Services Platform Collector software, specifically targeting its web-based management interface. This critical security flaw represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability that exploits insufficient input validation mechanisms within the application's user interface. The vulnerability exists in the software's handling of user-supplied data, where proper sanitization and validation procedures are absent or inadequate. Attackers can leverage this weakness to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on this management platform for network monitoring and data collection operations.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2022-20671 occurs through a simple yet effective social engineering approach where an attacker crafts malicious links designed to exploit the insufficient input validation in the web interface. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications. The attack vector requires user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it relies on tricking legitimate users into clicking malicious links rather than requiring direct system compromise. When a victim clicks such a crafted link, the malicious script executes within the victim's browser session, potentially gaining access to sensitive information or performing unauthorized actions within the context of the web interface. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers do not need physical access to the network or system, enabling exploitation from any location with internet connectivity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can potentially lead to complete session hijacking and unauthorized access to sensitive network monitoring data. Organizations utilizing CSPC software for critical infrastructure monitoring face significant risk, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to view confidential network information, manipulate monitoring data, or even gain deeper access to underlying network systems. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that no prior credentials are required, making it particularly dangerous for environments where the web interface is accessible to multiple users or exposed to external networks. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of data within the management interface, potentially compromising the entire network monitoring ecosystem that relies on this platform for operational visibility.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest available software versions that contain patches for this vulnerability, as well as implementing network segmentation to limit access to the affected web interface. Security teams should also deploy web application firewalls and input validation controls to detect and prevent malicious script injection attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the patched software to ensure that the vulnerability is completely resolved without introducing new issues. Additionally, network administrators should conduct comprehensive security assessments of all web-based management interfaces to identify similar input validation weaknesses that may exist in other systems within the organization's infrastructure. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining robust input validation mechanisms and regular security updates as outlined in industry best practices for secure software development and network security management.