CVE-2022-20657: Critical XSS Vulnerability in Cisco PI and Cisco EPNM Web-Based Management Interface

A critical cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability (CVE-2022-20657) has been identified in the web-based management interfaces of Cisco Prime Infrastructure (PI) and Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager (EPNM). This vulnerability could potentially allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct an XSS attack against a user of the affected device's interface. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the vulnerability, along with code snippets, links to original references, and details about the exploit.

Vulnerability Details

The CVE-2022-20657 vulnerability exists due to improper input validation within the web-based management interface of the Cisco PI and Cisco EPNM. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user of the affected interface to click a specially crafted link, which could result in the execution of arbitrary script code in the context of the affected interface or even allow unauthorized access to sensitive, browser-based information.

With the successful execution of arbitrary script code, an attacker could alter the appearance of the web interface, steal session cookies, or even take control over the affected user's account, thereby compromising the security of the entire system.

Code Snippet

The exploit involves crafting a malicious link that includes JavaScript code to target the vulnerable input validation mechanism. For example:

https://vulnerable-cisco-example.com/?vulnerable_param=<script>alert('XSS');</script>;

In this example, the attacker uses the "vulnerable_param" GET parameter to inject a script that alerts the user, notifying them of the XSS vulnerability. A real-world attack would likely involve more sophisticated payloads, such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users, or executing other malicious code.

Original References

[1] Cisco Security Advisory
- https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-pi-epnm-xss-XSrHLkVr

[2] CVE-2022-20657 Details

- https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-20657

Mitigation

Cisco has released software updates to address the CVE-2022-20657 vulnerability in the web-based management interfaces of Cisco PI and Cisco EPNM. Affected users are advised to apply the provided updates as soon as possible to protect their systems from potential attacks. It's essential to note that there are currently no known workarounds that address these vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

The discovery of this critical XSS vulnerability (CVE-2022-20657) in the web-based management interfaces of Cisco PI and Cisco EPNM highlights the importance of proper input validation and security testing for web-based applications. Businesses and organizations should prioritize applying the provided software updates and stay informed about emerging security threats and vulnerabilities to maintain a robust security posture.

Timeline

Published on: 11/15/2024 16:15:21 UTC
Last modified on: 11/18/2024 17:11:56 UTC