Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This flaw lets a highly privileged authenticated user store malicious script content in Cisco device web-interface banner data. If another web-interface user is induced to view affected content, the script may run in that user’s browser context and expose browser-based information or alter interface actions.
Executive priority
Treat this as a medium-priority network device hygiene issue. It is not shown as actively exploited in the provided sources, but affected management interfaces should be remediated because successful abuse can compromise administrator browser sessions and sensitive web-interface data.
Technical view
CVE-2019-12668 is a stored XSS issue in Cisco IOS and IOS XE web framework handling of banner parameters. Insufficient input validation allows saved banner content to execute script in the affected web interface. CVSS 3.0 is 4.8, with network access, low complexity, high privileges, required user interaction, and changed scope.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most relevant where Cisco IOS or IOS XE devices run affected software and have the web interface enabled for administrators. The bundle names Cisco IOS XE Software 3.6.0E, but the Cisco advisory should be checked for the authoritative affected-release matrix.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. Exploitation requires an authenticated remote attacker with high privileges plus victim user interaction or request interception against the web interface, limiting broad opportunistic risk.
Researcher notes
Key constraints are PR:H and UI:R. The vulnerability is CWE-79 stored XSS via banner parameters, with confidentiality and integrity impact but no availability impact. Evidence in the bundle is limited to CVE data and Cisco’s advisory reference; use the vendor advisory for version-specific remediation.
Mitigation direction
- Review Cisco’s advisory for fixed releases, workarounds, and affected-release details.
- Upgrade or remediate affected Cisco IOS/IOS XE devices according to Cisco guidance.
- Restrict device web interface access to trusted administrative networks only.
- Review privileged administrative access and remove unnecessary accounts.
- Monitor configuration changes involving web-interface banner settings.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Cisco IOS and IOS XE devices and record exact software versions.
- Compare versions against Cisco’s advisory affected-release information.
- Confirm whether the web interface is enabled and reachable by administrators.
- Review recent banner configuration changes for unexpected privileged activity.
- Check logs for unusual administrative web-interface access around banner changes.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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-79: User-session and phishing behavior lookup
Client-side and session-facing weaknesses should be reviewed alongside initial-access and user-execution behaviors. 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.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2019-12668 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 4.8 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
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.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N1.72.7Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
4.8MediumVector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- 20190925 Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software Stored Banner Cross-Site Scripting VulnerabilityCVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_CISCO
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.