CVE-2011-1607 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in Cisco Unified Communications Manager (aka CUCM, formerly CallManager) 6.x before 6.1(5)su3, 7.x before 7.1(5b)su3, 8.0 before 8.0(3a)su1, and 8.5 before 8.5(1) allows remote authenticated users to upload files to arbitrary directories via a modified pathname in an upload request, aka Bug ID CSCti81603.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1607 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Cisco Unified Communications Manager systems, specifically affecting versions prior to designated security patches. This directory traversal vulnerability enables authenticated remote attackers to manipulate file upload operations by crafting modified pathnames in upload requests, thereby gaining unauthorized access to arbitrary directories within the target system. The flaw resides in the application's insufficient validation of file paths during upload operations, allowing malicious users to bypass intended security restrictions and potentially execute arbitrary code or overwrite critical system files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization mechanisms within the file upload functionality of Cisco Unified Communications Manager. When legitimate users attempt to upload files through the system's web interface or API endpoints, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the pathname components of the upload requests. This validation failure creates an exploitable condition where attackers can manipulate the file path to traverse directories outside of the intended upload locations. The vulnerability specifically affects versions 6.x before 6.1(5)su3, 7.x before 7.1(5b)su3, 8.0 before 8.0(3a)su1, and 8.5 before 8.5(1), indicating a widespread issue across multiple major releases of the unified communications platform.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, creating significant security risks for organizations relying on Cisco Unified Communications Manager for their voice and collaboration infrastructure. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially upload malicious files such as web shells, backdoors, or other harmful payloads to critical system directories, leading to full system compromise. The ability to upload files to arbitrary directories undermines the fundamental security model of the application, as it allows attackers to bypass access controls and potentially escalate privileges within the system. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where CUCM serves as a central component for voice communications, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking persistent access to corporate networks.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate remediation measures including applying the vendor-supplied patches and updates for the specific versions mentioned in the CVE description. The security patches released by Cisco address the directory traversal issue by implementing proper input validation and sanitization of pathname components during file upload operations. Additionally, network segmentation strategies should be employed to limit access to the CUCM system, and access controls should be strictly enforced through role-based permissions and authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through web shells, highlighting the potential for this vulnerability to serve as an initial access vector for broader attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring and intrusion detection systems to detect suspicious file upload activities and anomalous behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.