CVE-2011-0373 in Telepresence System 3000
Summary
by MITRE
The CGI implementation on Cisco TelePresence endpoint devices with software 1.2.x through 1.5.x allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via a malformed request, related to "command injection vulnerabilities," aka Bug ID CSCtb31685.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0373 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Common Gateway Interface implementation of Cisco TelePresence endpoint devices. This security weakness affects specific software versions ranging from 1.2.x through 1.5.x, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on these communication systems. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the CGI processing layer, which fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before executing system commands. This flaw enables remote authenticated attackers to manipulate the system by crafting malicious requests that bypass normal security controls and execute unintended operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of CGI parameters within HTTP requests sent to the affected Cisco TelePresence devices. When the system processes these malformed requests, the unsanitized input gets directly incorporated into system command executions without proper validation or filtering. This creates an environment where attackers can inject arbitrary commands that the system will execute with the privileges of the affected service account. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-77 which classifies command injection flaws, and represents a variant of the broader category of injection vulnerabilities that have been consistently identified as high-risk threats in cybersecurity assessments. The attack vector requires the adversary to first authenticate to the system, making this a privilege escalation vulnerability rather than a purely remote code execution flaw.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents severe consequences for organizations utilizing Cisco TelePresence systems, as it allows attackers with valid credentials to gain unauthorized system control. The impact extends beyond simple command execution to potentially enable full system compromise, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within network environments. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, modify system configurations, access sensitive communication data, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other network resources. The vulnerability's presence in multiple software versions within the 1.2.x through 1.5.x range suggests a widespread exposure across deployed Cisco TelePresence installations, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments that may have numerous affected devices. Organizations using these systems face potential disruption of critical communication services and exposure to advanced persistent threats that could remain undetected for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0373 should prioritize immediate software updates to versions that address the command injection vulnerability, as Cisco has released patches specifically targeting this flaw. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the attack surface by restricting unauthorized access to TelePresence systems and implementing least privilege principles for authentication. Regular security audits should verify that all affected devices have been updated and that proper input validation is implemented across all CGI interfaces. Monitoring network traffic for suspicious command execution patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potential injection points within their TelePresence infrastructure and ensure that all administrative interfaces have proper authentication controls and input sanitization measures in place. The remediation process should also include disabling unnecessary services and features that may expose additional attack vectors beyond the primary CGI implementation.