CVE-2011-4487 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) with software 6.x and 7.x before 7.1(5b)su5, 8.0 before 8.0(3a)su3, and 8.5 and 8.6 before 8.6(2a)su1 and Cisco Business Edition 3000 with software before 8.6.3 and 5000 and 6000 with software before 8.6(2a)su1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via a crafted SCCP registration, aka Bug ID CSCtu73538.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4487 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Cisco Unified Communications Manager systems and related business edition platforms. This security weakness specifically affects Cisco's communication infrastructure software versions 6.x and 7.x prior to 7.1(5b)su5, 8.0 before 8.0(3a)su3, and 8.5 and 8.6 before 8.6(2a)su1, along with Cisco Business Edition 3000 systems running software versions before 8.6.3 and 5000 and 6000 platforms before 8.6(2a)su1. The vulnerability operates through the Session Control Protocol (SCCP) registration mechanism, making it particularly dangerous as it allows remote attackers to exploit the system without requiring physical access or local credentials.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation within the SCCP registration process of Cisco's unified communications platform. When a malicious actor crafts a specially designed SCCP registration packet, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL database queries. This oversight creates a direct pathway for attackers to inject malicious SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the database user account. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89 which defines SQL injection as the improper handling of user-supplied data in SQL queries, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. The flaw exists because Cisco's implementation does not adequately filter or escape special characters that could alter the intended SQL query structure, allowing attackers to manipulate the database execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected communication systems. Remote execution of arbitrary SQL commands enables unauthorized users to access, modify, or delete sensitive telephony data including user credentials, call records, and system configurations. Attackers could potentially escalate privileges within the database to gain administrative access to the entire communications infrastructure, disrupting business operations and compromising the confidentiality of voice communications. The vulnerability affects critical enterprise communication systems that organizations rely upon for business continuity, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to cause maximum disruption. The SCCP protocol's role in establishing communication sessions means that exploitation could occur during routine system operations, making detection more challenging.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4487 require immediate implementation of software patches provided by Cisco, specifically targeting the affected software versions mentioned in the vulnerability description. Organizations should prioritize updating their Cisco Unified Communications Manager systems to the patched versions, with particular attention to the SU releases referenced in the advisory. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of SCCP ports to trusted networks only, as this protocol typically operates on UDP port 2000. Additionally, implementing database query parameterization and input validation mechanisms at the application level can provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities. Security monitoring should include detection of anomalous SCCP registration patterns and unusual database query activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing robust input validation practices across all networked communication systems, as emphasized in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-160 and ISO/IEC 27001 requirements for secure system development and maintenance.