CVE-2011-4659 in Telepresence E20 Software
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco TelePresence Software before TE 4.1.1 on the Cisco IP Video Phone E20 has a default password for the root account after an upgrade to TE 4.1.0, which makes it easier for remote attackers to modify the configuration via an SSH session, aka Bug ID CSCtw69889, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-2555.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4659 affects Cisco TelePresence Software versions prior to TE 4.1.1 running on Cisco IP Video Phone E20 devices. This security flaw emerged specifically following an upgrade to TE 4.1.0, creating a persistent security risk that significantly undermines the device's operational integrity. The issue manifests through a critical configuration weakness that allows unauthorized remote access to the system's root account, thereby compromising the entire telepresence infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the software's handling of authentication credentials during the upgrade process. When the Cisco IP Video Phone E20 device undergoes an upgrade to TE 4.1.0, the system fails to properly reset or invalidate the root account's password, leaving the default credential intact and accessible. This flaw directly relates to CWE-798, which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software, and represents a significant failure in privilege management and authentication lifecycle handling. The default password configuration creates an exploitable entry point that bypasses normal authentication mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to establish secure shell sessions with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to modify critical system configurations and potentially compromise the entire telepresence network. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to gain root access through SSH sessions, which provides complete control over the device's functionality and data. This capability allows for configuration changes, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within the network environment where the device operates. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1078.004 highlights its potential for credential abuse and privilege escalation, while also demonstrating the risk of persistent backdoors that could remain undetected for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4659 require immediate administrative action to address the compromised authentication state. Organizations must prioritize updating affected Cisco IP Video Phone E20 devices to TE 4.1.1 or later versions that properly resolve the default password issue. System administrators should also implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices, enforce strict SSH access controls, and conduct thorough network monitoring for unauthorized SSH connections. Additionally, regular security assessments should verify that all authentication credentials have been properly reset and that no default passwords remain active on the system. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing to ensure that the upgrade process properly handles credential management and that the device maintains secure authentication states throughout its operational lifecycle.