CVE-2013-1107 in Webex Social
Summary
by MITRE
The search function in Cisco Webex Social (formerly Cisco Quad) allows remote authenticated users to read files via unspecified parameters, aka Bug ID CSCud40235.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1107 resides within Cisco Webex Social, formerly known as Cisco Quad, a collaboration and social networking platform designed for enterprise environments. This security flaw specifically affects the platform's search functionality, which is a critical component for user interaction and information retrieval within the system. The vulnerability represents a significant security risk as it allows remote authenticated attackers to access sensitive files through unspecified parameters within the search mechanism, potentially compromising the confidentiality of organizational data.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and parameter handling within the search function implementation. When authenticated users submit search queries to the Webex Social platform, the system fails to adequately sanitize or validate the parameters passed to the search functionality. This inadequate validation creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate the search parameters in ways that bypass normal access controls and file system restrictions. The unspecified parameters mentioned in the vulnerability description suggest that the flaw exists in how the application processes various input fields, potentially including search terms, filters, or navigation parameters that could be exploited to traverse file system paths or access unauthorized data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it represents a privilege escalation and information disclosure threat within the context of an authenticated attack. Remote authenticated users who already possess valid credentials can leverage this flaw to access files that should normally be restricted to authorized personnel only. This capability significantly undermines the platform's security model and could lead to the exposure of sensitive business information, proprietary data, or confidential communications. The vulnerability affects organizations using Cisco Webex Social in enterprise settings where data protection and access control are paramount, potentially resulting in regulatory compliance violations and reputational damage.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant security patches provided by Cisco, which typically address the underlying input validation issues in the search functionality. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities by restricting access to the platform to trusted networks and users. Additionally, implementing monitoring and logging of search activities can help detect anomalous usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider conducting thorough access reviews and ensuring that users have the minimum necessary privileges to reduce the potential damage from successful exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a clear example of how search functionality can become a vector for privilege escalation and unauthorized data access within enterprise collaboration platforms.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of secure coding practices in enterprise applications, particularly in features that handle user input such as search functions. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly benign functionality can become a security risk when proper input validation and access control mechanisms are not implemented. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive security testing procedures that include thorough examination of input handling and parameter validation within all application components, especially those that process user-supplied data. This vulnerability also underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following vendor security advisories to protect against known exploits that could compromise enterprise collaboration platforms.