CVE-2013-3404 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) 7.1(x) through 9.1(1a) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors, leading to discovery of encrypted credentials by leveraging metadata, aka Bug ID CSCuh01051.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3404 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Cisco Unified Communications Manager versions 7.1 through 9.1(1a). This vulnerability resides in the database layer of the communication platform, specifically affecting how the system processes user inputs that are subsequently incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code through unspecified attack vectors, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure that stores sensitive communication data and user credentials. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects multiple versions of the CUCM platform, indicating a widespread exposure across different release cycles of the software.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a serious weakness in software applications that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input. The attack surface is broad since the vulnerability affects the database interaction layer of the unified communications platform, which handles critical user authentication data, call routing information, and potentially encrypted credentials. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database, potentially enabling them to extract sensitive information including user accounts, authentication tokens, and encrypted password data that may be stored in the system's metadata. The specific vector for exploitation remains unspecified in the vulnerability description, but typically such vulnerabilities arise from improper input validation in web interfaces or API endpoints that handle user-submitted data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as it represents a fundamental breach in the security architecture of enterprise communication systems. Organizations using affected CUCM versions face significant risk of credential compromise, unauthorized access to communication networks, and potential lateral movement within their infrastructure. The discovery of encrypted credentials through metadata exploitation suggests that attackers could potentially access not only current user accounts but also historical communication data, call logs, and system configuration information. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of enterprise communications, potentially enabling attackers to conduct surveillance, manipulate communication flows, or establish persistent access points within the network. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter, making traditional network-based security controls insufficient for protection.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-3404 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, as Cisco released security updates to address this vulnerability in subsequent software releases. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to CUCM systems, enforce strict input validation controls, and deploy database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous SQL query patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices, particularly around database interaction, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. Additional protective measures include implementing strong authentication mechanisms, regularly auditing database access logs, and ensuring that database users have minimal required privileges to reduce the impact of successful exploitation. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database security solutions that can detect and block SQL injection attempts in real-time, as the vulnerability represents a classic example of how inadequate input validation can lead to complete database compromise.