CVE-2013-3473 in Prime Central For Hosted Collaboration Solution Assurance
Summary
by MITRE
The web framework in Cisco Prime Central for Hosted Collaboration Solution (HCS) Assurance before 9.1.1 does not properly determine the existence of an authenticated session, which allows remote attackers to discover usernames and passwords via an HTTP request, aka Bug ID CSCud32600.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3473 affects Cisco Prime Central for Hosted Collaboration Solution (HCS) Assurance versions prior to 9.1.1, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw within the web framework component. This issue stems from inadequate session validation mechanisms that fail to properly verify the existence of authenticated sessions, creating a pathway for unauthenticated attackers to exploit the system's authentication controls. The vulnerability specifically impacts the HCS Assurance module, which is designed to provide centralized management and monitoring capabilities for hosted collaboration services, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on Cisco's enterprise collaboration solutions.
The technical flaw manifests through improper session validation logic that allows attackers to craft specific HTTP requests capable of revealing sensitive authentication credentials including usernames and passwords. This occurs because the web framework fails to adequately check session state information before processing authentication-related requests, enabling malicious actors to bypass normal authentication procedures. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it allows attackers to gather credentials that could then be used for further exploitation or lateral movement within the network. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor mechanism that undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the authentication system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the targeted environment. Once credentials are obtained, attackers can potentially access sensitive network management interfaces, manipulate configuration settings, or escalate privileges to gain deeper system access. The vulnerability affects organizations using Cisco Prime Central for HCS Assurance, which typically operates in enterprise environments where collaboration solutions are critical for business operations. This creates a significant risk for organizations that may not have adequate network segmentation or monitoring in place to detect such unauthorized access attempts. The attack vector through HTTP requests makes this vulnerability particularly easy to exploit using standard network reconnaissance and attack tools.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to Cisco Prime Central for HCS Assurance version 9.1.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the session validation flaw. Network administrators should also implement additional security controls such as enhanced monitoring of authentication-related HTTP requests, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious patterns, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of their collaboration infrastructure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1110.003 for credential access through brute force or credential dumping. Security teams should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms and establishing stricter access controls for management interfaces to reduce the overall risk exposure. Additionally, regular security awareness training for administrators can help prevent social engineering attacks that might complement this technical vulnerability.