CVE-2022-20935 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.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-20935 affects the web-based management interface of Cisco Firepower Management Center software, representing a critical security flaw that enables authenticated remote attackers to conduct stored cross-site scripting attacks. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web interface, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject malicious code that persists in the system's database. The vulnerability specifically targets the FMC's management console where administrators interact with the security appliance, making it particularly dangerous as it could compromise the integrity of the security infrastructure itself.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input across multiple data fields within the FMC web interface. When legitimate users submit data through various form fields, the system fails to properly validate or escape the input before storing it in the database. This allows attackers to embed malicious scripts that are then executed when other authorized users view the affected data. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious code persists in the system and can affect multiple users over time, unlike reflected XSS attacks that require specific user interaction. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a weakness where applications fail to properly sanitize user input, and specifically maps to CWE-116 which addresses improper encoding or escaping of output.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can potentially provide attackers with access to sensitive browser-based information and enable them to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of the web interface. This creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, and potentially gain unauthorized access to the FMC management system. The temporary availability impact on portions of the FMC Dashboard represents a denial-of-service component where attackers can disrupt normal administrative operations by injecting code that affects dashboard functionality. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) and T1566.002 (Phishing: Spearphishing Link) as attackers can craft malicious payloads that appear legitimate to administrators, and T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) through the potential execution of malicious scripts. The vulnerability also aligns with T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) as it represents an attack vector through the web interface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-20935 should include immediate implementation of Cisco's security advisory patches and updates to the FMC software to address the input validation deficiencies. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the FMC management interface, enforce strict access controls and authentication measures, and deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious requests. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar input validation flaws in other applications, and administrators should be trained to recognize potential XSS attack vectors. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and serves as a reminder that security controls must be implemented at multiple layers to protect against sophisticated attack techniques that can compromise management interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing automated security scanning tools that can detect similar XSS vulnerabilities in their web applications and ensure that all user-supplied input is properly sanitized before being processed or stored within the system.