CVE-2013-6687 in WebEx Meetings Server
Summary
by MITRE
The web portal in the Enterprise License Manager component in Cisco WebEx Meetings Server allows remote authenticated users to discover the cleartext administrative password by reading HTML source code, aka Bug ID CSCul33876.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-6687 resides within the Enterprise License Manager component of Cisco WebEx Meetings Server, specifically affecting the web portal interface. This issue represents a critical information disclosure flaw that enables remote authenticated attackers to obtain administrative credentials in cleartext format. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of sensitive data within the HTML source code, where administrative passwords are rendered in an easily accessible format without adequate protection mechanisms. Such a flaw fundamentally undermines the security posture of the affected system by providing unauthorized access to privileged administrative functions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the web portal interface where authenticated users can access HTML source code containing cleartext administrative passwords. This represents a classic case of insecure credential storage and exposure, where sensitive authentication information is not properly obfuscated or encrypted within the user interface components. The flaw allows attackers to extract administrative credentials directly from the HTML source, bypassing normal authentication mechanisms and providing immediate access to system administrative functions. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper exposure of sensitive information, and specifically relates to CWE-546, concerning the use of obsolete or insecure cryptographic algorithms, though in this case the issue is more about exposure than cryptographic weakness.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing Cisco WebEx Meetings Server. Remote authenticated attackers who can access the web portal can leverage this information to gain full administrative control over the system, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized access to all meeting resources and user data. The cleartext nature of the exposed credentials means that even minimal network access can result in immediate privilege escalation. This vulnerability directly enables lateral movement within networks and provides attackers with persistent access to critical communication infrastructure, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such systems often serve as central points of collaboration and data exchange.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching the affected Cisco WebEx Meetings Server components to address the source code exposure issue. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit access to the web portal interface to only authorized personnel. Regular security audits should examine web application source code for similar exposure vulnerabilities, particularly focusing on credential handling and data presentation practices. The implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms can prevent such information disclosure issues. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts and credential exposure patterns, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through social engineering and T1078 for valid accounts usage. Regular security awareness training should emphasize the importance of protecting administrative credentials and recognizing potential exposure scenarios.