CVE-2006-3592 in Unified CallManager
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the command line interface (CLI) in Cisco Unified CallManager (CUCM) 5.0(1) through 5.0(3a) allows local users to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges via unspecified vectors, involving "certain CLI commands," aka bug CSCse11005.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3592 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Cisco Unified CallManager version 5.0(1) through 5.0(3a) command line interface implementation. This vulnerability specifically targets the CLI subsystem of the CUCM platform, which serves as the primary administrative interface for configuring and managing the unified communications environment. The issue manifests as an unspecified weakness that enables local attackers with access to the CLI to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing normal access controls and authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability was documented under the bug identifier CSCse11005, indicating it was recognized and tracked by Cisco's internal vulnerability management system. The affected versions represent a specific release cycle where the CLI privilege handling mechanisms contained a fundamental flaw that could be exploited by malicious actors with local access to the system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper privilege validation within certain CLI commands that are designed to perform administrative functions within the CUCM environment. When local users execute these specific commands through the CLI interface, the system fails to properly verify the privilege level of the executing user or does not adequately enforce the separation between standard user commands and privileged administrative functions. This flaw allows an attacker who has gained local access to the system to escalate their privileges and execute commands that should normally be restricted to administrators or system-level processes. The vulnerability operates at the command execution layer rather than at network protocols or application-level interfaces, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from within the system itself without requiring external network access or complex attack vectors. The unspecified nature of the exact vectors suggests that multiple CLI commands within the affected versions may be susceptible to this privilege escalation, potentially affecting a broad range of administrative functions within the CUCM platform.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive telecommunications infrastructure. Local attackers who can access the CLI interface gain the ability to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially allowing them to modify system configurations, access confidential telephony data, disable security features, or establish persistent access points within the communications network. This vulnerability particularly threatens organizations that rely heavily on Cisco Unified CallManager for their voice and video communication infrastructure, as the compromised system could serve as a foothold for broader network attacks or unauthorized monitoring of communications. The impact is amplified by the fact that this vulnerability affects multiple versions within the 5.0 release cycle, meaning that organizations running any of these specific versions are potentially at risk. The local nature of the attack vector suggests that physical access or other means of gaining system-level access are required, but once achieved, the attack can be devastating in terms of potential system compromise and data exposure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying Cisco's official security patches and updates that address the specific privilege escalation flaw in the CLI interface. System administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all affected CUCM versions and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. Additional security measures should include implementing strict access controls for CLI access, monitoring CLI usage patterns for suspicious activity, and ensuring that only authorized personnel have local system access. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-269: "Improper Privilege Management" and represents a classic case of insufficient privilege validation within administrative interfaces. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain involving initial access through local system compromise followed by lateral movement and persistence establishment. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit local access to critical systems and establish comprehensive logging and monitoring of administrative activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper privilege management in telecommunications infrastructure and highlights the need for regular security assessments of critical system interfaces.