CVE-2012-3075 in Telepresence System Tx9000
Summary
by MITRE
The administrative web interface on Cisco TelePresence Immersive Endpoint Devices before 1.7.4 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via a malformed request on TCP port 443, aka Bug ID CSCtn99724.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3075 affects Cisco TelePresence Immersive Endpoint Devices running firmware versions prior to 1.7.4, representing a critical remote command execution flaw that undermines the security posture of video conferencing infrastructure. This vulnerability resides within the administrative web interface component of these devices, which operates on the standard secure web port 443, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages the device's legitimate administrative access mechanisms to deliver malicious payloads. The flaw specifically manifests when authenticated users submit malformed requests to the device's web interface, enabling them to bypass normal access controls and execute arbitrary code on the underlying system with elevated privileges. This represents a classic example of a command injection vulnerability that exploits improper input validation within the device's web server implementation, allowing attackers to manipulate the device's operating system directly through carefully crafted HTTP requests.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-defined pattern that aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, where insufficient input sanitization leads to arbitrary code execution. Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting specially formatted HTTP requests that contain malicious command sequences, which are then processed by the device's web interface without proper validation or sanitization. The vulnerability's remote nature means that authenticated users with access to the device's administrative interface can exploit this weakness, though the initial authentication requirement does not necessarily prevent exploitation since the flaw allows for privilege escalation or bypass of authentication mechanisms. The attack surface extends to any administrative user who can establish a connection to TCP port 443, making it particularly concerning for organizations that maintain multiple endpoints or have administrative accounts that may be compromised through credential theft or social engineering attacks. This vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics aligned with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries leverage legitimate system tools and interfaces to execute malicious commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Once exploited, attackers gain full administrative control over the affected device, enabling them to modify device configurations, access stored credentials, intercept video and audio streams, and potentially use the compromised endpoint as a pivot point for attacking other network resources. The TelePresence Immersive Endpoint Devices typically serve as critical infrastructure components in enterprise video conferencing systems, making their compromise particularly damaging to business continuity and information security. Organizations that rely on these devices for sensitive communications may face data exfiltration risks, service disruption, and potential compliance violations, especially in regulated environments where communication security is paramount. The vulnerability's presence in devices that often operate in high-security environments such as financial institutions, government agencies, and healthcare organizations creates additional risk considerations related to data breach potential and regulatory compliance failures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3075 require immediate firmware updates to version 1.7.4 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the input validation flaws that enable the command injection attack. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit administrative access to these devices, reducing the attack surface and ensuring that only authorized personnel can reach the administrative interfaces. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining unpatched devices within the organization's infrastructure. The implementation of network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous traffic patterns on TCP port 443 may help identify exploitation attempts, though this should not be considered a substitute for proper patch management. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access and establishing robust incident response procedures specifically tailored to address device compromise scenarios. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and demonstrates how seemingly minor input validation flaws can result in critical security breaches in enterprise-grade network equipment, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security lifecycle management practices.