CVE-2011-1609 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Cisco Unified Communications Manager (aka CUCM, formerly CallManager) 6.x before 6.1(5)su2, 7.x before 7.1(5)su1, 8.0 before 8.0(3), and 8.5 before 8.5(1) allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors, aka Bug ID CSCtg85647.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1609 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Cisco Unified Communications Manager systems, specifically affecting versions prior to designated security patches. This vulnerability resides in the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the CUCM platform, which serves as the backbone for enterprise voice and collaboration solutions. The flaw enables remote authenticated attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input vectors, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the entire communication infrastructure. The vulnerability was catalogued under Bug ID CSCtg85647, indicating its recognition within Cisco's internal tracking systems and highlighting the severity of the issue in enterprise communication environments.
The technical exploitation of this SQL injection vulnerability occurs when authenticated users submit maliciously crafted input to the CUCM application, which then improperly handles the data within database queries. This flaw allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that bypass normal authentication checks and execute with the privileges of the database user account. The vulnerability affects multiple version streams including 6.x, 7.x, 8.0, and 8.5 releases, indicating a widespread impact across Cisco's unified communications platform. The unspecified vectors suggest that the flaw could be exploited through various interfaces within the CUCM system, including web-based management portals, API endpoints, or administrative interfaces. This broad attack surface increases the potential for successful exploitation and makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple access points exist.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise to potentially enable full system takeover and persistent access within enterprise networks. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive communication data, modify user accounts, and potentially disrupt critical business communications. The vulnerability affects organizations using Cisco's unified communications infrastructure, which typically includes voice mail systems, IP phones, conferencing capabilities, and integrated collaboration tools. Organizations relying on these systems for mission-critical communications face significant risk, as the compromise could lead to unauthorized access to voice and video communications, disruption of business continuity, and potential data exfiltration. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent backdoors within the communication infrastructure, making detection and remediation more challenging.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1609 focus primarily on applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that address the specific SQL injection vulnerabilities. Cisco released patches for the affected versions including 6.1(5)su2, 7.1(5)su1, 8.0(3), and 8.5(1), which remediate the identified flaw through proper input validation and parameterized query execution. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to CUCM systems, enforce strong authentication controls, and monitor for suspicious database activity. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions can provide additional layers of protection. Security teams should also consider conducting regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify potential exploitation vectors, while ensuring that all administrative interfaces are properly secured and access is restricted to authorized personnel only. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection flaws as a critical security weakness in application code, and may map to ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation within enterprise communication environments.