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CVE-2018-0218: A vulnerability in the web-based user interface of the Cisco Secure Access Control Server prior to 5.8 patc...

A vulnerability in the web-based user interface of the Cisco Secure Access Control Server prior to 5.8 patch 9 could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to gain read access to certain information in the affected system. The vulnerability is due to improper handling of XML External Entities (XXEs) when parsing an XML file. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by convincing the administrator of an affected system to import a crafted XML file. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCve70616.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's Takemoderate

Analyst readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

Cisco Secure Access Control Server versions before 5.8 patch 9 can mishandle XML files imported through the web interface. If an attacker persuades an administrator to import a malicious XML file, the attacker may read certain system information. This is an information-disclosure issue, not described as code execution.

Executive priority

Treat this as a moderate legacy infrastructure risk. Prioritize patching or retiring affected Cisco ACS systems because the product handles identity and access control, and information disclosure from that environment can support broader compromise.

Technical view

The flaw is an XXE parsing issue in the web-based UI of Cisco Secure ACS before 5.8 patch 9. The CVE describes unauthenticated remote read access to certain information after administrator-assisted XML import. The source maps it to CWE-200 and Cisco Bug ID CSCve70616.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to organizations still running Cisco Secure Access Control Server before 5.8 patch 9, especially where administrators can import XML files through the web UI. The bundle does not identify affected CPEs, deployment scope, or internet exposure prevalence.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. Exploitation requires convincing an administrator of an affected system to import a crafted XML file, which raises the bar above direct unauthenticated exploitation but still creates remote information-disclosure risk.

Researcher notes

Evidence is concise and vendor-centered. Key unknowns include the exact information exposed, whether Cisco listed workarounds, and current exploit availability. The CVE states XXE during XML parsing and admin-assisted import; avoid assuming direct unauthenticated exploitation without the social-engineering condition.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade Cisco Secure ACS to 5.8 patch 9 or later per Cisco advisory.
  • Review Cisco advisory cisco-sa-20180307-acs1 for vendor-specific remediation details.
  • Restrict XML imports to trusted administrative workflows until remediation is complete.
  • Inventory legacy Cisco Secure ACS deployments and prioritize unsupported or exposed systems.

Validation and detection

  • Identify Cisco Secure ACS instances and record their installed patch level.
  • Confirm whether any instance is earlier than 5.8 patch 9.
  • Review administrative XML import activity for unexpected or untrusted files.
  • Check whether ACS web UI access is limited to authorized administrators.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

Public sources used

Based on public source material and reviewed before publication.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cwe · medium confidence lookup

CWE-200: Information exposure and cloud metadata lookup

Information exposure and SSRF weaknesses can make discovery, cloud metadata, and credential material review relevant. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2018-0218 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
4Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/aCisco Secure Access Control ServerCisco Secure Access Control ServerListed
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-200

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-200 · source CWE mapping

Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor

Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.

Open CWE intelligenceSame-CWE CVEs