CVE-2014-0691 in WebEx Meetings Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco WebEx Meetings Server before 1.1 uses meeting IDs with insufficient entropy, which makes it easier for remote attackers to bypass authentication and join arbitrary meetings without a password, aka Bug ID CSCuc79643.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0691 affects Cisco WebEx Meetings Server versions prior to 1.1, presenting a significant security weakness that undermines the authentication mechanisms protecting virtual meeting sessions. This flaw resides in the generation of meeting identifiers which lack sufficient randomness and complexity, creating predictable meeting IDs that can be easily guessed or enumerated by malicious actors. The vulnerability represents a critical design flaw in the server's session management architecture that directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of corporate and organizational communications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient entropy in the meeting ID generation algorithm, which produces identifiers that follow predictable patterns or contain easily guessable sequences. This weakness allows remote attackers to systematically discover valid meeting IDs through brute force techniques or by leveraging precomputed dictionaries of common meeting identifiers. The flaw enables unauthorized access to protected meetings without requiring valid credentials or meeting passwords, effectively bypassing the intended authentication controls. According to CWE-338, this represents a weakness in random number generation where the generated values are not sufficiently random to prevent predictability, making it easier for attackers to compromise systems through guesswork.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass broader security implications for organizations relying on Cisco WebEx for sensitive communications. Attackers can exploit this weakness to eavesdrop on confidential business meetings, disrupt ongoing sessions, or gain access to proprietary information shared during protected conference calls. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where meeting IDs are often shared through insecure channels or where meetings contain sensitive strategic information, financial data, or intellectual property discussions. This weakness directly violates the principles of authentication and access control as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1078 technique for Valid Accounts, where attackers can leverage predictable identifiers to gain unauthorized access to protected resources.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Cisco WebEx Meetings Server version 1.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the entropy issues in meeting ID generation. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional access controls such as requiring passwords for all meetings, enabling meeting lock features, and monitoring for unusual access patterns. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing cryptographically secure random number generation for meeting ID creation, ensuring that each identifier possesses sufficient entropy to prevent prediction by unauthorized parties. Additionally, organizations should conduct security audits of their existing meeting configurations to identify any meetings that may have been compromised due to the predictable nature of the identifiers, and implement proper key rotation procedures for all meeting sessions to minimize the window of opportunity for exploitation.