CVE-2011-0390 in TelePresence Multipoint Switch
Summary
by MITRE
The XML-RPC implementation on Cisco TelePresence Multipoint Switch (CTMS) devices with software 1.0.x, 1.1.x, 1.5.x, 1.6.x, and 1.7.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (process crash) via a crafted request, aka Bug ID CSCtj44534.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0390 affects Cisco TelePresence Multipoint Switch devices operating on specific software versions including 1.0.x, 1.1.x, 1.5.x, 1.6.x, and 1.7.0. This represents a critical denial of service flaw within the XML-RPC implementation of these telepresence systems. The vulnerability manifests when the CTMS device receives a specially crafted XML-RPC request that triggers an unexpected process termination, resulting in complete service disruption for the affected telepresence infrastructure. The flaw specifically impacts the remote management and control capabilities of these devices, which are essential for coordinating multi-point video conferences in enterprise and organizational environments.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the XML-RPC processing module of the CTMS software. When a remote attacker submits a malformed XML-RPC request containing maliciously constructed parameters or malformed XML structures, the system fails to properly handle the unexpected input and subsequently crashes the underlying process responsible for handling these remote procedure calls. This process failure results in an immediate denial of service condition where the telepresence switching functionality becomes unavailable, requiring manual intervention or device restart to restore normal operations. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no authentication credentials to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered by any remote attacker with network access to the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise critical communication infrastructure within organizations relying on Cisco TelePresence systems. In enterprise environments where telepresence conferencing is integral to business operations, this vulnerability could lead to significant productivity losses and communication breakdowns during important meetings or collaborative sessions. The vulnerability affects not just individual devices but entire telepresence network infrastructures, as the failure of one switch can disrupt multi-point conferences involving numerous participants across different locations. Organizations utilizing these devices for critical business communications, healthcare consultations, or educational purposes face substantial risk from this flaw, particularly in environments where high availability and reliability are essential requirements.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of available Cisco security patches and software updates that address the XML-RPC input validation issues. Network administrators should implement access controls to restrict network access to CTMS devices, limiting exposure to unauthorized remote attackers through firewall rules and network segmentation. The implementation of intrusion detection systems can help identify and alert on suspicious XML-RPC traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling XML-RPC functionality on affected devices when not actively required for management purposes, as this reduces the attack surface. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify similar input validation flaws in other networked devices within the telepresence infrastructure, aligning with industry standards such as those recommended by the CWE database for input validation vulnerabilities and the ATT&CK framework's approach to remote service exploitation techniques.