Cisco Secure Desktop contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct cross-site scripting attacks. The vulnerability is due to a lack of input sanitation in the Cisco Secure Desktop. An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by convincing a targeted user to visit a malicious website that is designed to submit an HTTP POST request to the web interface of the affected product. If the targeted user visits the malicious page, the attacker could execute arbitrary script code in the browser of the user in the security context of the affected site. Proof-of-concept code is publicly available. Cisco has confirmed this vulnerability and released updated software. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must convince a targeted user to visit a malicious website. Performing an exploit will likely require the attacker to use social engineering tactics, such as sending targeted users a link to the site via e-mail, instant messaging, or another form of communication. Cisco would like to thank Matias Pablo Brutti and Ernesto Alvarez from Core Security Technologies for discovering this vulnerability. Because of changes made in Cisco Secure Desktop 3.5, Cisco ASA with an older version of ASA firmware but with Cisco Secure Desktop 3.5 or later will not be affected by this vulnerability. The problem is fixed for Cisco ASA firmware version8.0(5) and later.
Cisco Secure Desktop contains a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct cross-site scripting attacks.
The vulnerability is due to a lack of input sanitation in the Cisco Secure Desktop. An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by convincing a targeted user to visit a malicious website that is designed to submit an HTTP POST request to the web interface of the affected product. If the targeted user visits the malicious page, the attacker could execute arbitrary script code in the browser of the user in the security context of the affected site.
Proof-of-concept code is publicly available.
Cisco has confirmed this vulnerability and released updated software.
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must convince a targeted user to visit a malicious website. Performing an exploit will likely require the attacker to use social engineering tactics, such as sending targeted users a link to the site via e-mail, instant messaging, or another form of communication.
Cisco would like to thank Matias Pablo Brutti and Ernesto Alvarez from Core Security Technologies for discovering this vulnerability.
Because of changes made in Cisco Secure Desktop 3.5, Cisco ASA with an older version of ASA firmware but with Cisco Secure Desktop 3.5 or later will not be affected by this vulnerability.
The problem is fixed for Cisco ASA firmware version
8.0(5) and later.
Cisco bug ID CSCsw15646 has been assigned to this vulnerability.
Cisco Secure Desktop versions prior to 3.5 are vulnerable. Cisco Secure Desktop is a component of Cisco ASA 5500 Series Adaptive Security Appliances. Cisco ASA appliances are vulnerable only if the Cisco Secure Desktop feature has been enabled. Cisco ASA appliance versions prior to 8.2(1), 8.1(2.7), and 8.0(5) are vulnerable.
Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate updates.
Users are advised not to open e-mail messages from suspicious or unrecognized sources. If users cannot verify that links or attachments included in e-mail messages are safe, they are advised not to open them.
The Cisco Applied Intelligence team has created the following companion document to guide administrators in identifying and mitigating attempts to exploit this vulnerability prior to applying updated software: cisco-amb-20060922-understanding-xss
Users should verify that unsolicited links are safe to follow.
Cisco has released the following fixed versions:
Cisco Secure Desktop
Version 3.5Cisco ASA 5500 Series Adaptive Security Appliances
Versions 8.2(1), 8.1(2.7), and 8.0(5)
Cisco customers with active contracts can obtain updates through the Software Center at the following link: Cisco. Cisco customers without contracts can obtain upgrades by contacting the Cisco Technical Assistance Center at 1-800-553-2447 or 1-408-526-7209 or via e-mail at tac@cisco.com.
The Cisco Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) is not aware of any public announcements or malicious use of the vulnerability that is described in this advisory.
To learn about Cisco security vulnerability disclosure policies and publications, see the Security Vulnerability Policy. This document also contains instructions for obtaining fixed software and receiving security vulnerability information from Cisco.
| Version | Description | Section | Status | Date |
| 1.0 | Initial Release | NA | Final | 2010-Feb-01 |
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