CVE-2014-3281 in Unified Communications Domain Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The web framework in VOSS in Cisco Unified Communications Domain Manager (CDM) does not properly implement access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive user information by visiting an unspecified BVSMWeb web page, aka Bug IDs CSCun46071 and CSCun46101.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3281 resides within the web framework of Cisco Unified Communications Domain Manager CDM, specifically affecting the BVSMWeb component. This issue represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of the unified communications infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate implementation of access controls within the web application layer, creating an avenue for unauthorized information disclosure. Security researchers have catalogued this weakness under multiple bug identifiers including CSCun46071 and CSCun46101, highlighting its significance within Cisco's vulnerability management system.
The technical implementation flaw manifests through improper access control mechanisms that fail to adequately validate user authentication and authorization states before granting access to sensitive web resources. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by directly accessing unspecified BVSMWeb pages without proper authentication credentials, thereby bypassing the intended security boundaries. This weakness falls under the category of insufficient access control as defined by CWE-284, which specifically addresses inadequate access control implementations that allow unauthorized access to protected resources. The vulnerability is classified as a remote attack vector, meaning that malicious actors can exploit this flaw from external network positions without requiring physical access or prior authentication within the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the compromised system potentially exposes sensitive user information that could be leveraged for further attacks. The disclosed information may include user credentials, system configurations, or other data that could facilitate privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to communications data, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of the unified communications environment. The vulnerability affects organizations relying on Cisco CDM for their unified communications infrastructure, creating a significant risk to enterprise security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3281 should prioritize immediate implementation of security patches provided by Cisco through their official security advisories. Organizations must ensure that all affected systems receive the necessary updates to address the access control implementation flaws. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the affected web components, limiting exposure to only authorized personnel. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts to BVSMWeb pages. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation as outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers could use the disclosed information for credential theft and social engineering campaigns. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar access control weaknesses in other components of the unified communications infrastructure.