CVE-2011-2583 in Unified Contact Center Express
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Unified Contact Center Express (aka CCX) 8.0 and 8.5 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via network traffic, as demonstrated by an SEC-BE-STABLE test case, aka Bug ID CSCth33834.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2021
Cisco Unified Contact Center Express version 8.0 and 8.5 contains a vulnerability that permits remote attackers to trigger a denial of service condition through crafted network traffic. This vulnerability specifically affects the security framework components of the system and was identified through the SEC-BE-STABLE test case methodology. The flaw manifests when the system processes certain network packets that exploit weaknesses in the security engine's stability mechanisms, leading to system instability and potential service interruption.
The technical nature of this vulnerability resides in the improper handling of network traffic within the security engine's processing pipeline. When maliciously crafted packets are received by the CCX system, they cause the security framework to enter an unstable state that ultimately results in system crash or complete service unavailability. This represents a classic denial of service vector where attacker-controlled input leads to system resource exhaustion or state corruption within the security subsystem. The vulnerability operates at the network protocol level and affects the system's ability to maintain stable security operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption as it affects the core security infrastructure of the contact center system. Organizations relying on Cisco CCX 8.0 and 8.5 for customer contact management face potential business disruption when this vulnerability is exploited. The attack requires only network access to the affected system and does not necessitate authentication or elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with network connectivity to the target device. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability aspect of the CIA security triad and represents a significant risk to business continuity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include applying the official Cisco security patches and updates released to address the specific stability issues within the security engine. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the affected systems to untrusted networks. Monitoring network traffic for suspicious patterns that match the SEC-BE-STABLE test case methodology can help detect exploitation attempts. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which addresses improper handling of resources leading to system instability. The attack pattern corresponds to techniques found in the ATT&CK framework under the denial of service category, specifically targeting system stability and availability. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to minimize business impact in case of successful exploitation.