CVE-2010-3040 in Intelligent Contact Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in agent.exe in Setup Manager in Cisco Intelligent Contact Manager (ICM) before 7.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long parameter in a (1) HandleUpgradeAll, (2) AgentUpgrade, (3) HandleQueryNodeInfoReq, or (4) HandleUpgradeTrace TCP packet, aka Bug IDs CSCti45698, CSCti45715, CSCti45726, and CSCti46164.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-3040 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow in Cisco Intelligent Contact Manager's Setup Manager component, specifically within the agent.exe process. This flaw exists in versions prior to 7.0 of the ICM software and exposes the system to remote code execution attacks through carefully crafted TCP packets. The vulnerability affects multiple operational functions including HandleUpgradeAll, AgentUpgrade, HandleQueryNodeInfoReq, and HandleUpgradeTrace, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various attack vectors within the same system. The affected component operates as a critical part of Cisco's contact center infrastructure, managing agent interactions and system upgrades, which amplifies the potential impact of this vulnerability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the TCP packet handling mechanisms of the Setup Manager. When the agent.exe process receives TCP packets containing excessively long parameters in any of the four identified functions, the software fails to properly bounds-check the incoming data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially including return addresses and control data, which can be manipulated to redirect program execution flow. The stack-based nature of the vulnerability means that the overflow occurs in the program's stack memory space, where local variables and function call metadata are stored, making it particularly susceptible to exploitation through carefully crafted payloads that can overwrite the instruction pointer.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to fully compromise the targeted system running Cisco ICM. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain system-level privileges, install persistent backdoors, modify system configurations, or exfiltrate sensitive contact center data. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to launch attacks, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that expose their contact center infrastructure to external networks. Given that ICM systems often handle sensitive customer information, financial transactions, and business-critical communications, the potential for data breaches, service disruption, and operational compromise is significant. The vulnerability affects organizations using legacy versions of Cisco ICM, potentially leaving numerous enterprise contact centers exposed to this attack vector.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through official Cisco security advisories and patches, as the vulnerability affects critical infrastructure components. The recommended mitigation strategy includes upgrading to Cisco ICM version 7.0 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow conditions. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the affected TCP ports, limiting exposure to trusted networks only. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious TCP packet patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow and represents a typical attack pattern categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security measures including regular patch management, network monitoring, and access controls to prevent unauthorized system compromise and maintain the integrity of contact center operations.