CVE-2024-20409 in Firepower Management Center
Summary
by MITRE • 10/23/2024
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Firepower Management Center (FMC) Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack against a user of the interface of an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input by the web-based management interface. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability 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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-20409 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Cisco Firepower Management Center software, specifically affecting the web-based management interface. This vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing. The web interface serves as the primary administrative portal for managing Cisco Firepower devices, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise network security infrastructure. The flaw exists in the software's handling of user input across multiple data fields, creating opportunities for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that can execute within the context of authenticated user sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated attacker who can access the web-based management interface, as the flaw specifically targets the interface's input validation mechanisms rather than the underlying network protocols. Attackers can manipulate various data fields within the interface to inject malicious payloads that will be executed when other users view the affected content. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution, as successful exploitation can lead to access to sensitive browser-based information and potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. This weakness directly corresponds to CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where insufficient input validation allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-20409 is significant for organizations relying on Cisco Firepower Management Center for network security operations, as it creates potential for unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions and data. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, access confidential network information, or manipulate security policies through the management interface. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the network infrastructure, and the authenticated requirement reduces the attack surface compared to unauthenticated vulnerabilities. This flaw can be exploited to compromise the integrity of the management interface, potentially leading to complete administrative control over the Firepower devices managed through the center. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script-based execution and T1566 for credential access through web application attacks.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability through official Cisco software updates and patches. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to the Firepower Management Center interface and enforce strict access controls. The implementation of web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and monitoring of web interface access logs should be conducted to detect anomalous activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing robust input validation practices in web applications to prevent similar cross-site scripting attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access to further reduce the risk of unauthorized access to the management interface.