CVE-2014-3320 in Unified Communications Domain Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple open redirect vulnerabilities in the admin web interface in the web framework in Cisco Unified Communications Domain Manager (CDM) 8.1(.4) and earlier allow remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via crafted URLs for unspecified scripts, aka Bug ID CSCuo48835.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2014-3320 represents a critical open redirect flaw discovered in Cisco Unified Communications Domain Manager version 8.1(.4) and earlier releases. This security weakness exists within the administrative web interface of the web framework, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate user navigation through carefully crafted URLs. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of redirects within unspecified scripts, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited across multiple attack vectors. The issue was catalogued under Bug ID CSCuo48835, highlighting its significance within Cisco's internal tracking systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the web framework's redirect mechanisms. When users interact with the administrative interface, the system fails to properly verify or sanitize the destination URLs provided in redirect parameters. This allows attackers to craft malicious URLs that appear legitimate but redirect users to attacker-controlled domains. The flaw operates at the application layer, specifically within the web application's URL redirection logic, where user-supplied parameters are directly used to determine redirect destinations without proper validation. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-601, which defines open redirect vulnerabilities as weaknesses where applications redirect users to external sites without proper verification, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for phishing via social engineering.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple redirection, creating significant risks for organizations utilizing Cisco CDM. Attackers can leverage this flaw to conduct sophisticated phishing campaigns by redirecting authenticated users to malicious sites that mimic legitimate administrative interfaces. The implications are particularly severe because the vulnerability affects the administrative web interface, meaning compromised users could gain access to sensitive configuration data and potentially escalate privileges within the communication domain. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to critical communication infrastructure, leading to data breaches, service disruption, and potential compromise of the entire unified communications ecosystem. The vulnerability also enables attackers to harvest credentials and sensitive information from authenticated users who believe they are interacting with legitimate administrative systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3320 should focus on immediate patching of affected Cisco CDM systems to the latest available versions that address the open redirect vulnerability. Organizations must implement network-level controls including web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious redirect patterns, particularly those redirecting to external domains. The implementation of proper input validation and sanitization measures within the application code is essential, ensuring that all redirect parameters are strictly validated against a whitelist of approved domains. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators should emphasize the importance of verifying URLs before clicking on links, especially in administrative contexts. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit exposure of the administrative interface to trusted networks only. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potential redirect vulnerabilities within their web applications and implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect anomalous redirect behavior. The remediation process should include reviewing and updating the web framework's URL handling logic to ensure that all redirect operations validate destination URLs against a strict whitelist rather than accepting arbitrary inputs, thereby preventing the exploitation patterns that enable this open redirect vulnerability.