CVE-2010-4304 in Unified Videoconferencing System 3527 Primary Rate Interface Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
The web interface in Cisco Unified Videoconferencing (UVC) System 3545, 5110, 5115, and 5230; Unified Videoconferencing 3527 Primary Rate Interface (PRI) Gateway; Unified Videoconferencing 3522 Basic Rate Interfaces (BRI) Gateway; and Unified Videoconferencing 3515 Multipoint Control Unit (MCU) uses predictable session IDs based on time values, which makes it easier for remote attackers to hijack sessions via a brute-force attack, aka Bug ID CSCti54048.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-4304 affects Cisco Unified Videoconferencing systems across multiple product lines including the 3545, 5110, 5115, and 5230 models along with various gateway and MCU devices. This security flaw resides in the web interface component of these videoconferencing systems, which are widely deployed in enterprise environments for collaborative communications. The issue stems from the predictable nature of session identifiers used by the system's web interface, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on these platforms for sensitive communications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of Cisco UVC systems in corporate and government environments where video conferencing represents a critical communication infrastructure component.
The technical flaw involves the implementation of session ID generation within the web interface of Cisco UVC systems. Specifically, the system generates session identifiers that are based on time values, making them predictable to attackers who can potentially calculate or guess valid session tokens through brute-force techniques. This predictable session ID generation violates fundamental security principles for session management and represents a clear violation of the CWE-1029 weakness category, which addresses predictable session identifiers. The time-based approach to session ID generation creates a window of opportunity for attackers to systematically guess valid session tokens, particularly when the time source is known or can be estimated within a reasonable timeframe. This vulnerability essentially eliminates the security benefits that session IDs are designed to provide, allowing unauthorized users to gain access to active sessions without proper authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session hijacking, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to video conferencing sessions, potentially leading to eavesdropping on sensitive business communications, unauthorized participation in meetings, or even complete control over the videoconferencing system. The attack surface is particularly broad given that the affected systems are deployed in environments where they handle confidential corporate data, government communications, and sensitive business discussions. The vulnerability affects multiple Cisco UVC product lines, indicating a systemic issue rather than an isolated component failure, which amplifies the potential impact across various enterprise deployments. Organizations using these systems may face significant security risks including data breaches, unauthorized access to business communications, and potential compromise of entire video conferencing infrastructures.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability including applying Cisco's security patches and updates as released through their official advisory channels. The remediation process should involve upgrading to patched firmware versions that implement proper session ID generation mechanisms that do not rely on predictable time values. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit exposure of these systems to untrusted networks, while monitoring should be implemented to detect potential brute-force attempts or unauthorized access patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing additional authentication mechanisms and session management controls that go beyond the basic web interface authentication to provide defense-in-depth. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential harvesting through social engineering and brute force methods, and represents a classic example of insufficient session management controls that attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized system access. Organizations should also review their overall security posture and consider implementing more robust session management policies that align with industry standards such as those recommended by NIST SP 800-171 for secure session handling.