CVE-2013-3402 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
An unspecified function in Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) 7.1(x) through 9.1(2) allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via unknown vectors, aka Bug ID CSCuh73440.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3402 represents a critical remote command execution flaw within Cisco Unified Communications Manager versions 7.1 through 9.1(2). This vulnerability affects organizations relying on Cisco's unified communications infrastructure, where the unspecified function within the CUCM system presents a significant security risk to enterprise communication networks. The bug ID CSCuh73440 specifically identifies this weakness in the software's authentication and authorization mechanisms, allowing authenticated attackers to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and privilege separation within the application's internal processing functions, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass normal security controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unknown vectors that likely involve manipulation of authenticated API calls or internal function parameters within the CUCM environment. Attackers who have obtained legitimate credentials can leverage this flaw to execute commands with elevated privileges, potentially gaining full control over the communication infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification as a remote authenticated command execution issue places it within the context of CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and CWE-20, which addresses inputs that are not properly sanitized. These weaknesses in input validation and command construction create opportunities for attackers to inject malicious payloads that can be interpreted as legitimate system commands by the vulnerable software components.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-3402 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can result in complete compromise of the unified communications infrastructure. Organizations utilizing affected CUCM versions face risks including unauthorized access to voice and video communications, potential data exfiltration from communication channels, and disruption of business continuity services. The vulnerability can be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where communication systems are integral to operational functions, as attackers could potentially intercept sensitive conversations, manipulate call routing, or disable critical communication services. This type of vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter, and T1068, which addresses exploit for privilege escalation, making it a significant concern for security teams managing unified communications deployments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Cisco, which would address the underlying function that permits arbitrary command execution. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of credential compromise, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect anomalous command execution patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and privilege separation within enterprise communication systems, highlighting the need for comprehensive security testing of critical infrastructure components. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as privileged access management solutions and regular security assessments of their unified communications environments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.