CVE-2008-6711 in Communication Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Web administration interface in Avaya Communication Manager 3.1.x before CM 3.1.4 SP2 and 4.0.x before 4.0.3 SP1 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via unknown vectors related to "viewing system logs."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-6711 represents a critical security flaw within the Web administration interface of Avaya Communication Manager versions 3.1.x prior to CM 3.1.4 SP2 and 4.0.x prior to 4.0.3 SP1. This issue specifically affects the system's ability to handle log viewing operations, creating a potential pathway for remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected systems. The vulnerability's unspecified nature suggests that the exact technical mechanism remains partially obscured, though the impact clearly demonstrates a severe privilege escalation and command execution capability within the communication infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper handling of user input within the Web administration interface when processing system log viewing requests. This weakness allows authenticated users to manipulate the log viewing functionality in such a way that arbitrary commands can be executed on the underlying system. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of input validation failure and privilege escalation, where legitimate administrative access can be leveraged to gain deeper system control. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability pattern that aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, where insufficient input sanitization leads to unauthorized code execution.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on Avaya Communication Manager for their telephony infrastructure. Remote authenticated attackers who can access the web administration interface can potentially escalate their privileges to execute arbitrary commands, which may include system shell access, file manipulation, or even complete system compromise. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it could enable attackers to disrupt communication services, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access points within the network. The vulnerability's presence in both major version series 3.1 and 4.0 indicates a widespread issue affecting multiple generations of the Avaya Communication Manager platform.
The security implications of CVE-2008-6711 align with ATT&CK techniques focusing on privilege escalation and command execution within network infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to move laterally within the network, potentially accessing other connected systems or services that rely on the compromised communication manager. The vulnerability also represents a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks, as it provides a mechanism for attackers to establish persistence and maintain access to the communication infrastructure. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader security frameworks, particularly those addressing network device security and privileged access controls. The remediation approach should involve immediate patching of affected systems to version 3.1.4 SP2 or 4.0.3 SP1, along with comprehensive monitoring for any signs of exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and limiting administrative access to the Web interface can help reduce the attack surface and mitigate potential impact from similar vulnerabilities.