CVE-2022-20840 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-2022-20840 affects Cisco Firepower Management Center (FMC) Software, specifically targeting its web-based management interface. This issue represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the system's user authentication and input validation mechanisms. The affected software operates within enterprise security infrastructure, managing network firewalls and security policies across organizations, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for cybersecurity professionals responsible for protecting critical network assets.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the web interface components of the FMC software. This weakness manifests as insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data entering various data fields through the management interface. The vulnerability is classified as a stored cross-site scripting attack vector, where malicious input is first stored on the server and then executed when other users access the affected interface. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize user input that can lead to XSS attacks. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of authenticated users' browsers, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution capabilities, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors. An authenticated attacker with access to the FMC management interface can craft malicious payloads that persist within the system and execute when other users interact with the affected interface. This persistent nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code can target multiple users over time, potentially compromising session tokens, browser-based information, and sensitive data within the management interface. The attack could result in unauthorized access to security policies, configuration changes, or even complete system compromise. In some scenarios, the vulnerability can also cause temporary availability impacts on portions of the FMC Dashboard, creating additional operational disruption for security teams managing network infrastructure. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, where the initial compromise occurs through web interface exploitation, and T1213.002 - Data from Information Repositories: Web Application, which involves accessing sensitive data through web-based interfaces.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by Cisco, which address the input validation weaknesses in the web interface components. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit access to the FMC management interface to only authorized personnel. Regular monitoring of the management interface for suspicious activity, including unusual data entry patterns or unauthorized script execution attempts, should be implemented. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their FMC deployments to identify any additional instances of similar input validation issues. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against XSS attacks. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and proper input validation practices in web-based management interfaces, particularly those handling sensitive network security configurations.