CVE-2013-6972 in WebEx Training Center
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco WebEx Training Center allows remote attackers to discover session numbers, and bypass host approval for audio-conference attendance, by reading HTML source code, aka Bug ID CSCul57126.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-6972 affects Cisco WebEx Training Center, a widely used web conferencing platform that enables remote training and collaboration sessions. This security flaw represents a significant weakness in the platform's session management and access control mechanisms, potentially allowing unauthorized users to gain inappropriate access to audio-conference sessions. The vulnerability specifically targets the session number discovery process and host approval bypass functionality, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate conference attendance controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the WebEx Training Center application. Attackers can exploit this weakness by examining the HTML source code of conference pages to extract session identifiers and other sensitive information. This exposure occurs due to improper handling of session parameters and lack of adequate access controls that should normally require host approval before granting audio-conference privileges. The vulnerability essentially allows for session number enumeration, which provides attackers with the means to predict or discover valid session identifiers that would normally be protected.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a serious risk for organizations using Cisco WebEx Training Center for sensitive training sessions or confidential meetings. The ability to bypass host approval mechanisms means that unauthorized participants could join audio-conference sessions without proper authorization, potentially leading to information disclosure, disruption of training activities, or even malicious interference with conference proceedings. The exposure of session numbers through HTML source code reading represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that undermines the confidentiality and integrity of the conference environment.
The impact of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through improper error handling or information leakage. Additionally, this weakness can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1046 for network service scanning and T1071 for application layer protocol usage, as attackers would need to examine web page sources and potentially interact with the web application to exploit the vulnerability. Organizations may also face compliance issues with security standards such as NIST SP 800-53, which emphasizes the need for secure session management and access control mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies should include implementing proper input validation and output encoding to prevent information leakage through HTML source code. Organizations should ensure that session identifiers are properly randomized and not easily predictable, while also implementing robust access control mechanisms that require proper authentication before granting audio-conference privileges. Cisco released patches to address this vulnerability, and organizations should immediately apply these updates to prevent exploitation. Network segmentation and monitoring for unusual conference session activity can also provide additional layers of protection against potential exploitation of this vulnerability.