CVE-2011-4232 in Unified MeetingPlace
Summary
by MITRE
The web server in Cisco Unified MeetingPlace 6.1 and 8.5 produces different responses for directory queries depending on whether the directory exists, which allows remote attackers to enumerate directory names via a series of queries, aka Bug ID CSCtt94070.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4232 affects Cisco Unified MeetingPlace versions 6.1 and 8.5, representing a directory enumeration flaw within the web server component that exposes sensitive information through inconsistent response handling. This weakness enables remote attackers to systematically determine the existence of specific directories by observing variations in server responses, creating a reconnaissance vector that could lead to more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the web server's handling of directory queries where the server provides different response patterns based on whether the requested directory exists or not, creating a telltale distinction that attackers can exploit.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the web server's lack of consistent response behavior when processing directory enumeration requests. When a directory exists, the server returns one type of response, while non-existent directories trigger a different response pattern, allowing attackers to distinguish between valid and invalid directory names through simple query testing. This inconsistent response behavior creates a timing or content-based side channel that reveals directory structure information without requiring authentication or privileged access. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and represents a classic information disclosure weakness that can be exploited through network-based attacks without requiring physical access or complex exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple directory enumeration, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance information that can be leveraged for subsequent attacks. Once attackers have mapped the directory structure, they can identify potential targets for further exploitation, including sensitive files, configuration data, or administrative directories. This information disclosure vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes weaknesses related to exposure of sensitive information, and represents a significant risk to organizations that rely on Cisco Unified MeetingPlace for collaboration services. The vulnerability creates a persistent reconnaissance opportunity that can be automated and scaled, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where directory structures may contain sensitive organizational information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4232 should focus on implementing consistent response handling across all directory queries, ensuring that the web server returns uniform responses regardless of directory existence. Organizations should update to patched versions of Cisco Unified MeetingPlace, as Cisco released security updates addressing this specific vulnerability through their official security advisories. Network segmentation and access controls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous query patterns that might indicate directory enumeration attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input validation and consistent error handling in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1083 for discovery of files and directories, and emphasizes the need for comprehensive security testing that includes response consistency analysis to prevent similar information disclosure vulnerabilities from being introduced into web applications.