CVE-2014-8010 in Unified Communications Domain Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The web framework in Cisco Unified Communications Domain Manager 8 allows remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary OS commands via crafted values, aka Bug ID CSCuq50205.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8010 affects the web framework component of Cisco Unified Communications Domain Manager version 8, representing a critical command injection flaw that enables remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary operating system commands. This vulnerability resides within the web interface of the communications management platform, which serves as a central control point for unified communications infrastructure. The flaw specifically manifests when the system processes user-supplied input values through the web interface without proper sanitization or validation, creating an avenue for malicious command injection attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that an attacker who has already gained administrative credentials can leverage this weakness to escalate their privileges and potentially compromise the entire underlying operating system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the web framework's parameter handling mechanisms. When authenticated administrators interact with the web interface, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape user-provided values before processing them within the operating system context. This allows an attacker to inject malicious command sequences that get executed with the privileges of the web application process, typically running with elevated system privileges. The vulnerability can be exploited through various parameters within the web interface that accept user input, particularly those related to system configuration, network settings, or administrative commands. The flaw aligns with CWE-77, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and represents a classic command injection vulnerability that has been documented across numerous systems and frameworks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive communication infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary commands on the target system, potentially gaining access to confidential data, modifying system configurations, installing backdoors, or even using the compromised system as a pivot point to attack other networked devices. The attack surface is particularly broad given that the Cisco Unified Communications Domain Manager serves as a central management platform for communications systems, making it a valuable target for adversaries seeking to disrupt business operations or gain access to enterprise communication networks. This vulnerability can be leveraged to create persistent access, escalate privileges beyond the initial administrative account, and potentially compromise the entire unified communications infrastructure managed by the platform.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8010 should focus on immediate patching and configuration hardening measures to prevent exploitation. Cisco has released security advisories and patches addressing this vulnerability, which should be implemented immediately across all affected systems. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the scope of potential exploitation, ensuring that administrative access is restricted to trusted personnel and that additional authentication layers are enforced. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation controls can provide additional protection against similar vulnerabilities, while regular security assessments and monitoring of system logs can help detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter, specifically focusing on the execution of malicious commands through web interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege configurations and regular security audits to prevent unauthorized administrative access and reduce the attack surface available to potential adversaries.