CVE-2004-0650 in Collaboration Server
Summary
by MITRE
UploadServlet in Cisco Collaboration Server (CCS) running ServletExec before 3.0E allows remote attackers to upload and execute arbitrary files via a direct call to the UploadServlet URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0650 represents a critical security flaw in Cisco Collaboration Server's ServletExec component prior to version 3.0E. This issue stems from improper access controls within the UploadServlet functionality, which creates an exploitable pathway for remote attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and directly interact with the file upload interface. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, indicating a fundamental flaw in how the system handles file path validation and access restrictions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to bypass normal application security controls by directly accessing the UploadServlet URL without proper authentication. This direct access point enables unauthorized users to upload malicious files to the server, potentially including web shells, malware, or other harmful payloads. The flaw exists because the application fails to properly validate whether the requesting entity has legitimate authorization to perform file upload operations, creating a path traversal and privilege escalation vulnerability that can be exploited remotely without requiring prior access credentials.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing Cisco Collaboration Server deployments. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web application server. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the network or prior authentication. This capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can execute commands through uploaded malicious files.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to ServletExec version 3.0E or later, which contains proper access control mechanisms for the UploadServlet functionality. Network-level protections such as firewall rules that restrict access to the UploadServlet URL can provide temporary mitigation while permanent fixes are implemented. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and access control measures, including authentication checks and file type restrictions, can help prevent unauthorized file uploads. The remediation process should also include reviewing and hardening the application's security configuration to ensure that file upload functionality is properly protected against unauthorized access attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation and the potential consequences of inadequate security controls in web application frameworks.