CVE-2022-20839 in FirePOWER Management Center
Summary
by MITRE • 11/16/2022
Multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of Cisco Firepower Management Center (FMC) Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the interface of an affected device. These vulnerabilities are due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input by the web-based management interface. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by inserting crafted input into various data fields in an affected interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the context of the interface, or access sensitive, browser-based information. In some cases, it is also possible to cause a temporary availability impact to portions of the FMC Dashboard.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20839 affects the web-based management interface of Cisco Firepower Management Center software, representing a critical security weakness that enables authenticated remote attackers to execute stored cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability resides within the software's web interface implementation where insufficient input validation mechanisms fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing. The flaw specifically manifests when the interface accepts and stores user input without adequate sanitization, creating persistent XSS attack vectors that can be triggered when legitimate users access the affected interface. The vulnerability impacts the core management functionality of Cisco's network security platform, potentially compromising the security posture of organizations relying on Firepower Management Center for their security operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the insertion of malicious script code into various data fields within the web interface, which are then stored and executed when other authenticated users access the affected pages. This stored XSS behavior allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of the victim's browser session, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized administrative actions. The insufficient input validation mechanisms fail to properly filter or escape special characters and script tags, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that persist in the application's database or storage mechanisms. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into web pages. The attack vector requires authentication to the FMC interface, making it a privilege escalation vulnerability that can be leveraged by insiders or compromised legitimate users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can potentially lead to complete compromise of the management interface and underlying network security controls. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to access sensitive browser-based information, manipulate dashboard functionality, and potentially escalate privileges within the security management environment. The temporary availability impact on portions of the FMC Dashboard represents a degradation of service that could disrupt security monitoring and management operations. Organizations utilizing Cisco Firepower Management Center face significant risk as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to security configurations, modify firewall policies, or exfiltrate sensitive network security data. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the management interface, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate security policies or access privileged information. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001: Phishing for Information, where attackers exploit web application vulnerabilities to gain access to sensitive information and system controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-20839 should focus on immediate patching of affected Cisco Firepower Management Center software versions, as well as implementing additional security controls to reduce attack surface and impact. Organizations should apply the latest security patches released by Cisco to address the input validation deficiencies in the web interface. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit access to the FMC interface to only authorized personnel with legitimate business needs. Regular security assessments of the web interface should be conducted to identify additional input validation weaknesses, and web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and filter suspicious requests. Input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms should be strengthened across all user-facing web applications, with proper validation of all user-supplied data before storage or processing. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual access patterns to the FMC interface and anomalous script execution within the browser context. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing robust input validation mechanisms and adhering to secure coding practices in web application development, particularly for security management interfaces that handle privileged operations and sensitive network data.