CVE-2014-3316 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The Multiple Analyzer in the Dialed Number Analyzer (DNA) component in Cisco Unified Communications Manager allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended upload restrictions via a crafted parameter, aka Bug ID CSCup76297.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-3316 resides within Cisco Unified Communications Manager's Dialed Number Analyzer component, specifically affecting the Multiple Analyzer functionality. This issue represents a critical authorization bypass flaw that enables remote authenticated attackers to circumvent intended file upload restrictions. The vulnerability manifests through a crafted parameter manipulation that allows attackers to upload files that would normally be restricted by the system's security policies. The affected system operates within enterprise communication environments where unified communications platforms handle sensitive business data and network traffic. The bug ID CSCup76297 identifies this specific flaw within Cisco's internal tracking systems, indicating it was recognized and documented by the vendor's security team. This vulnerability impacts organizations relying on Cisco's unified communications infrastructure for their telephony and collaboration services, potentially exposing them to unauthorized file operations and privilege escalation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves manipulation of parameter values within the DNA component's upload handling mechanism. When authenticated users submit requests through the system's interface, they can craft specific parameter values that bypass the intended validation checks. This allows them to upload files with extensions or content types that should be restricted by the system's security policies. The flaw essentially creates a pathway where legitimate authenticated users can exploit the parameter parsing logic to gain access to restricted upload capabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates a weakness in input validation and access control mechanisms, where the system fails to properly enforce its file upload restrictions despite the user being authenticated. This type of flaw often stems from improper sanitization of user-supplied parameters and inadequate validation of file attributes before processing.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3316 extends beyond simple file upload restrictions, as it can potentially enable more serious security consequences within the affected environment. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could upload malicious files that might execute within the system's context, leading to potential code execution, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration. The remote nature of the attack means that an authenticated user could potentially compromise the system from outside the local network perimeter, especially if the system is accessible through VPN or other remote access mechanisms. Organizations utilizing Cisco Unified Communications Manager in mission-critical environments face significant risk, as this vulnerability could be leveraged to disrupt communication services, gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, or establish persistent access points within their network infrastructure. The impact is particularly concerning given that the system handles dialed number analysis, which often includes sensitive routing information and communication metadata.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch application from Cisco, as the vendor would have released a security advisory addressing the specific parameter handling flaw. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected system and restrict authentication to only necessary personnel. Additional protective measures include enhanced monitoring of file upload activities, implementation of stricter input validation controls, and regular security assessments of the unified communications infrastructure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which covers Improper Input Validation, and could be mapped to ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms. Security teams should also consider implementing file integrity monitoring solutions and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar parameter manipulation flaws within other components of their unified communications platforms. Proper access control policies and principle of least privilege enforcement are crucial in limiting the potential impact of such vulnerabilities within enterprise environments.