CVE-2010-4302 in Unified Videoconferencing System 5115
Summary
by MITRE
/opt/rv/Versions/CurrentVersion/Mcu/Config/Mcu.val in Cisco Unified Videoconferencing (UVC) System 5110 and 5115, when the Linux operating system is used, uses a weak hashing algorithm for the (1) administrator and (2) operator passwords, which makes it easier for local users to obtain sensitive information by recovering the cleartext values, aka Bug ID CSCti54010.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4302 affects Cisco Unified Videoconferencing System 5110 and 5115 devices running the Linux operating system. This issue resides within the Mcu.val configuration file located at /opt/rv/Versions/CurrentVersion/Mcu/Config/Mcu.val which stores administrative and operational credentials. The flaw represents a critical weakness in the system's authentication mechanism that undermines the security posture of these video conferencing appliances. The vulnerability specifically targets the password hashing implementation used for both administrator and operator accounts, creating a significant attack surface for local adversaries who can exploit this weakness to recover plaintext credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the use of a weak hashing algorithm for password storage within the Cisco UVC system configuration. When passwords are stored using inadequate cryptographic functions, they become susceptible to reverse engineering through various techniques including rainbow table attacks, brute force methods, and pattern recognition. The weak hashing algorithm employed in this context allows attackers to systematically deduce the original plaintext passwords from their hashed representations, effectively nullifying the security benefits of password protection. This weakness directly violates security best practices and industry standards such as those outlined in the National Institute of Standards and Technology guidelines for password storage, which recommend using strong cryptographic hashing functions like bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4302 extends beyond simple credential compromise, as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to critical system functions within the videoconferencing infrastructure. Local users who exploit this vulnerability can gain administrative privileges and potentially access sensitive meeting data, modify system configurations, or disrupt services. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where these systems handle confidential communications and business-critical video conferencing sessions. Attackers could leverage this access to monitor communications, inject malicious content, or escalate privileges to gain broader network access, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-tiered network environments where video conferencing systems often serve as entry points for lateral movement.
The vulnerability aligns with multiple entries in the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) catalog, specifically CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in password storage, and CWE-257, which covers insecure password storage mechanisms. From an adversarial perspective, this weakness maps directly to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1110, which encompasses password cracking and credential access methods. The presence of this vulnerability in the Cisco UVC systems represents a failure to implement proper cryptographic controls for credential storage, which is a fundamental requirement for maintaining system integrity. Organizations utilizing these appliances face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches, particularly when the systems are deployed in environments where local access is possible or when the devices are located in physically accessible areas.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4302 should prioritize immediate implementation of stronger password policies and cryptographic controls within the affected Cisco UVC systems. Organizations must ensure that all password hashing mechanisms utilize strong cryptographic functions with appropriate salt values to prevent rainbow table attacks. The recommended approach involves upgrading to patched firmware versions provided by Cisco, implementing network segmentation to limit local access to these systems, and establishing robust monitoring protocols to detect unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify other potential weak points in the authentication infrastructure and implement multi-factor authentication mechanisms where possible to provide additional layers of protection against credential compromise attacks.