CVE-2022-20832 - Multiple Vulnerabilities in Cisco Firepower Management Center (FMC) Software's Web-based Management Interface

Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in the web-based management interface of Cisco Firepower Management Center (FMC) Software. These vulnerabilities, classified under CVE-2022-20832, could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct stored cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks against a user of the affected device's interface. This post aims to provide an overview of these vulnerabilities, links to original references, code snippets, and details about potential exploits.

Vulnerabilities Overview

The identified 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 within an affected interface. If successful, the attacker could execute arbitrary script code in the context of the interface or access sensitive, browser-based information. In some cases, these vulnerabilities can also lead to a temporary availability impact on portions of the FMC Dashboard.

Exploit Details

An attacker would need to be authenticated and remotely connected to the Cisco Firepower Management Center web-based interface to exploit these vulnerabilities. The attacker could then target the system by inserting malicious inputs into data fields like usernames, passwords, and other form fields. The attacker could craft an input using script code (e.g., JavaScript) to form an XSS attack.

A sample code snippet resembling the crafted input might look like the following

<script>
  // Malicious JavaScript code
</script>

When a user interacts with the affected data field, the malicious script code embedded within the crafted input would execute in their browser, leading to the mentioned impacts.

For instance, if an attacker sets a username field to contain a malicious script, any page within the application that displays the usernames to other users might become exposed to the stored XSS attack.

Original References

To understand and assess the severity and impact of these vulnerabilities further, refer to the official Cisco Security Advisory:

1. Cisco Firepower Management Center Software Stored Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerabilities

Mitigations and Recommendations

Cisco has released software updates that address these vulnerabilities. The availability of these updates depends on the configuration and version of the Cisco Firepower Management Center Software. Customers are advised to check with their service provider or refer to the Software Checker to determine the appropriate updates for their systems.

If system updates are not possible, users can take precautionary measures like disabling JavaScript in their browsers or using browser extensions that block scripting languages. However, these measures may lead to reduced functionality of the web-based management interface or other web applications.

In conclusion, it is essential to stay informed and vigilant regarding CVE-2022-20832 to protect the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive information and maintain the availability of the Cisco Firepower Management Center (FMC) Software's web-based management interface. Applying software updates, being cautious about user-supplied input, and implementing additional security measures can help mitigate the risks associated with these vulnerabilities.

Timeline

Published on: 11/15/2022 21:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/18/2022 18:13:00 UTC