CVE-2010-4303 in Unified Videoconferencing System 5115
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Unified Videoconferencing (UVC) System 5110 and 5115, when the Linux operating system is used, uses world-readable permissions for the /etc/shadow file, which allows local users to discover encrypted passwords by reading this file, aka Bug ID CSCti54043.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4303 affects Cisco Unified Videoconferencing System 5110 and 5115 devices running the Linux operating system. This security flaw represents a critical misconfiguration issue that undermines the fundamental security principles of credential protection within the affected system. The vulnerability stems from improper file permissions that expose sensitive authentication data to unauthorized local users, creating a significant attack surface for privilege escalation and credential harvesting activities.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper world-readable permissions assigned to the /etc/shadow file, which is a critical system file containing encrypted password hashes for all user accounts on the system. In a properly configured Linux environment, this file should only be accessible to the root user and specific system processes with appropriate privileges. The vulnerability allows local attackers to directly read this file without authentication, thereby gaining access to encrypted password information that can be subsequently subjected to offline password cracking attacks. This misconfiguration violates the principle of least privilege and creates an immediate vector for credential compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple password exposure, as it provides attackers with the foundation for further system compromise. Once an attacker obtains the encrypted password hashes from /etc/shadow, they can employ various password cracking techniques including dictionary attacks, brute force methods, or rainbow table lookups to recover plaintext passwords. This capability enables unauthorized users to gain legitimate access to system accounts, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or use as a stepping stone for broader network infiltration. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on Cisco UVC systems for video conferencing, where the exposed credentials could provide access to sensitive business communications and collaboration platforms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate permission correction and ongoing system hardening measures. The primary fix involves setting appropriate file permissions on the /etc/shadow file to ensure only root access is permitted, typically through chmod 600 or equivalent restrictions. System administrators should also implement comprehensive access controls and monitor for unauthorized file access attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource, which specifically addresses improper permissions for sensitive system files. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this issue maps to T1003.001: OS Credential Dumping - LSASS Memory, as it provides attackers with a method to obtain password hashes without requiring more sophisticated memory dumping techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as mandatory access controls, regular security audits, and privilege management policies to prevent similar misconfigurations from occurring in other system components.