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CVE-2025-20166: Medium Vulnerability in Cisco Common Services Platform Collector

A medium-severity vulnerability in Cisco Common Services Platform Collector allows authenticated remote attackers to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. Immediate remediation is crucial as no software updates are currently available.

MEDIUMCVSS 5.4 · Published January 8, 2025

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A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Common Services Platform Collector (CSPC) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks against a user of the interface. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input by the web-based management interface of an affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious code into specific pages of the interface.

A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary script code in the context of the affected interface or access sensitive, browser-based information. To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must have at least a low-privileged account on an affected device. Cisco has not released software updates that address this vulnerability, and there are no workarounds available.

With a CVSS score of 5.4, this vulnerability is classified as medium severity. Organizations should assess their exposure and prioritize remediation efforts, especially since this vulnerability allows for potential XSS attacks, which can lead to significant information disclosure.

The urgency for defenders is high due to the nature of the vulnerability and the potential impact on user data. Organizations using affected Cisco products must remain vigilant.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability in question allows an attacker to exploit the web-based management interface of the Cisco Common Services Platform Collector (CSPC). The official CVE description states that this vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input, leading to possible XSS attacks.

The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 5.4, reflecting a medium severity level. The attack vector is classified as network-based (AV:N), with low attack complexity (AC:L) and low privileges required (PR:L). User interaction is required for exploitation (UI:R), and the scope of the impact is classified as changed (S:C). The confidentiality and integrity impacts are both rated as low (C:L, I:L), while there is no availability impact (A:N).

The affected products include the Cisco Common Services Platform Collector and the Cisco Crosswork Network Controller, with specific version ranges noted in the CVE details. The vulnerability was published on January 8, 2025, and remains critical for organizations to address.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient validation of user inputs by the web management interface. This oversight allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that could execute in the context of the affected interface, potentially compromising sensitive user data.

The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, meaning that an attacker does not need physical access to the device. The complexity of the attack is low, as it relies on user interaction with the affected web interface. The requirement for low privileges means that even attackers with minimal access can exploit this vulnerability.

Furthermore, the impacts on confidentiality and integrity are rated low, indicating that while data may be compromised, the attack does not disrupt the availability of the service.

Risk & Impact Analysis

The real-world risk associated with this vulnerability is significant. Given that it enables XSS attacks, attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain access to sensitive information or manipulate the user experience within the web interface. The potential blast radius is considerable, as it can affect any user with access to the vulnerable interface.

Organizations must consider the impact of potential data breaches that could arise from this vulnerability. The urgency for remediation is high, especially in environments where sensitive information is handled. It is crucial to evaluate the deployment of affected products and implement security measures to mitigate risks.

Exploitation Status

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

No

Public PoC

No

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

The vulnerable versions include the Cisco Common Services Platform Collector (2.11 and its sub-versions) and the Cisco Crosswork Network Controller (versions 5.0.0 to 5.0.4, 6.0.0 to 6.0.3, and 7.0.0 to 7.0.1). Organizations using these products should assess their current software versions and plan for remediation.

Mitigation & Remediation

As Cisco has not released any patches or workarounds for this vulnerability, organizations are advised to monitor for any updates from Cisco regarding future patches. In the meantime, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to the vulnerable interface. Regular security assessments and penetration testing can help identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities in the system.

For continuous security improvement, organizations should validate remediation effectiveness through penetration testing and maintain an updated inventory of all assets connected to the network.

Detection Guidance

To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for unusual activities, such as unexpected script execution or unauthorized access attempts. Behavioral anomalies in user interactions with the web interface should also be flagged for review.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in its representation of common web interface weaknesses that can be exploited through XSS attacks. Organizations should prioritize security hygiene and ensure robust input validation mechanisms are in place to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

This case underscores the importance of regular security assessments and adherence to secure coding practices. By learning from such vulnerabilities, security teams can enhance their defensive strategies and reduce the risk of exploitation in the future.

For organizations looking to strengthen their defenses, it may be beneficial to explore application security assessments and invest in comprehensive security training for developers.

Furthermore, organizations are encouraged to stay informed about emerging threats and vulnerabilities by following security advisories and engaging in threat intelligence sharing.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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