CVE-2004-0044 in Personal Assistant
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Personal Assistant 1.4(1) and 1.4(2) disables password authentication when "Allow Only Cisco CallManager Users" is enabled and the Corporate Directory settings refer to the directory service being used by Cisco CallManager, which allows remote attackers to gain access with a valid username.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2019
Cisco Personal Assistant version 1.4(1) and 1.4(2) contains a critical security flaw that fundamentally undermines authentication mechanisms through improper configuration handling. This vulnerability resides in the application's directory service integration logic where the system automatically disables password authentication when specific corporate directory settings are configured to reference the directory service used by Cisco CallManager. The flaw represents a classic misconfiguration issue that creates an unintended authentication bypass scenario, allowing remote attackers to authenticate using valid usernames without proper password verification.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate authentication requirements when directory integration is enabled. When administrators configure the "Allow Only Cisco CallManager Users" setting in conjunction with Corporate Directory references to CallManager's directory service, the system incorrectly assumes that directory-based authentication is sufficient and disables traditional password authentication mechanisms. This design flaw creates a security boundary that can be exploited by malicious actors who possess valid usernames within the directory service. The vulnerability operates at the authentication layer and directly impacts the principle of least privilege by allowing unauthorized access through simplified authentication paths.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise communications environments where Cisco Personal Assistant is deployed. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to voice communication systems, potentially leading to eavesdropping, call manipulation, and unauthorized access to sensitive corporate communications. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it can enable further exploitation within the network ecosystem where Cisco CallManager and Personal Assistant are integrated. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on integrated voice and directory services, making it particularly dangerous in environments where directory synchronization is commonly implemented for user management and access control.
The flaw aligns with CWE-668, which addresses "Exposure of Resource to Wrong Sphere," as the system incorrectly exposes authentication mechanisms to unauthorized access paths. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004, "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts," where attackers can leverage valid credentials through weakened authentication controls. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the problematic configuration option when directory integration is used, ensuring proper authentication mechanisms remain active, and conducting thorough security reviews of directory service integrations. The recommended approach involves configuring the system to maintain explicit password authentication requirements regardless of directory service integration settings, thereby preventing the automatic disabling of authentication controls that creates the vulnerability window.