CVE-2022-20740 in FirePOWER Management Center
Summary
by MITRE • 05/03/2022
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Firepower Management Center (FMC) Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting attack. This vulnerability is due to improper validation of user-supplied input to the web-based management interface. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by convincing a user to click a link designed to pass malicious input to the interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to conduct cross-site scripting attacks and gain access to sensitive browser-based information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20740 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the web-based management interface of Cisco Firepower Management Center software. This security weakness exists in the validation mechanisms that process user-supplied input, creating an exploitable pathway for remote attackers to manipulate the system through maliciously crafted web requests. The vulnerability specifically affects the FMC software's web interface, which serves as the primary administrative portal for managing Cisco's network security appliances, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on this platform for their cybersecurity infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation processes within the web application layer of the Firepower Management Center. When users interact with the web interface, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate data submitted through various input fields, allowing malicious payloads to be executed within the context of a victim's browser session. This improper input handling creates a persistent XSS attack vector where attackers can inject malicious scripts that execute in the browser of authenticated users who visit compromised pages. The vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to conduct sophisticated session hijacking operations and access sensitive information stored within the browser context. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially steal session cookies, access administrative functions, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users without their knowledge. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the network or the device itself, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where the FMC serves as a central management point for multiple network security devices. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531, which covers "Use of Web Shell" and represents a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of network security management operations.
Organizations utilizing Cisco Firepower Management Center software should immediately implement mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves applying the official Cisco security patches released to address the XSS vulnerability in the web interface. Additionally, network administrators should implement web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious requests targeting the FMC interface, while also configuring strict access controls to limit exposure of the management interface to trusted networks only. Regular security assessments and monitoring of web application logs should be conducted to detect potential exploitation attempts, and user education regarding suspicious links and website behaviors should be reinforced to prevent social engineering attacks that could leverage this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch implementation does not disrupt existing management operations while maintaining the security posture of the network infrastructure.