CVE-2014-3317 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the Multiple Analyzer in the Dialed Number Analyzer (DNA) component in Cisco Unified Communications Manager 10.0(1) allows remote authenticated users to delete arbitrary files via a crafted URL, aka Bug ID CSCup76314.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-3317 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Cisco Unified Communications Manager's DNA component, specifically affecting version 10.0(1). This security weakness resides in the Multiple Analyzer functionality of the Dialed Number Analyzer system, which is designed to process and analyze dialed numbers for various telephony operations. The vulnerability manifests as an insufficient input validation mechanism that fails to properly sanitize user-supplied URL parameters, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by authenticated attackers to execute unauthorized file operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted URL that manipulates the file system path traversal mechanisms within the DNA component. When authenticated users submit maliciously formatted URLs to the system, the inadequate validation allows the attacker to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access arbitrary files within the system's file structure. This flaw specifically enables the deletion of files that should normally be protected from unauthorized access, potentially compromising the integrity and availability of critical telephony system components. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by insiders or compromised legitimate users.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Cisco Unified Communications Manager for their voice and collaboration infrastructure. The ability to delete arbitrary files can lead to complete system compromise, data loss, service disruption, and potential escalation to full system takeover. Attackers could target critical configuration files, log files, or even system binaries to disrupt operations or establish persistent access points. The vulnerability affects the core communication infrastructure of enterprise networks, potentially impacting business continuity and regulatory compliance requirements for telecommunications systems. Organizations utilizing this version of Cisco Unified Communications Manager face potential exposure to both internal and external threats that could result in service degradation or complete system failure.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Cisco security patches and updates released to address this vulnerability, which aligns with the remediation strategies recommended in the ATT&CK framework for network infrastructure attacks. The vulnerability maps to CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a well-documented weakness in file system access controls. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the scope of potential exploitation, while monitoring for suspicious URL patterns in system logs. Additionally, implementing proper input validation mechanisms and regular security assessments of telephony systems can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in other components of the communication infrastructure, following industry standards such as those outlined in NIST SP 800-53 for secure system design and implementation practices.