CVE-2015-0595 in WebEx Meetings Server
Summary
by MITRE
The XMLAPI in Cisco WebEx Meetings Server 1.5(.1.131) and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by reading return messages from crafted GET requests, aka Bug ID CSCuj67079.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0595 affects the XMLAPI component of Cisco WebEx Meetings Server version 1.5(.1.131) and earlier releases. This issue represents a sensitive data exposure vulnerability that enables remote attackers to access confidential information through manipulated HTTP GET requests. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of return messages within the XMLAPI interface, which inadvertently reveals sensitive system information to unauthorized parties. The bug ID CSCuj67079 specifically documents this weakness in the server's information disclosure mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests when the XMLAPI processes crafted GET requests that contain malformed or specially constructed parameters. Under normal operation, the API should validate incoming requests and sanitize responses to prevent unauthorized data access. However, the vulnerability allows attackers to construct specific request patterns that cause the system to return detailed internal information, including system configurations, user data, or other sensitive metadata. This occurs because the application fails to properly implement access controls and output sanitization for XMLAPI responses, creating a direct information disclosure channel.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data leakage, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance information that can facilitate subsequent attacks. Remote threat actors can exploit this weakness to gather system fingerprints, identify running services, discover user accounts, and potentially map the underlying infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit and can be executed remotely without authentication. This makes it an attractive target for initial reconnaissance phases of cyber operations, aligning with tactics documented in the attack pattern framework where adversaries seek to gather intelligence before launching more sophisticated attacks.
From a security standards perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-200, which covers "Information Exposure," and represents a classic case of improper information handling within web applications. The issue also relates to CWE-352, "Cross-Site Request Forgery," as the vulnerability enables unauthorized access through crafted requests that could be executed in various contexts. The attack surface is further broadened by the fact that this affects a core component of the WebEx Meetings Server, making it a critical weakness in enterprise collaboration platforms. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of information disclosure that could lead to privilege escalation, system compromise, or targeted attacks against specific users within the meeting environment.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected systems to the latest Cisco WebEx Meetings Server releases that contain fixes for this vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the XMLAPI endpoints from untrusted networks. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious GET request patterns that attempt to exploit this weakness. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar information disclosure issues within the broader application ecosystem, as the vulnerability pattern suggests potential for similar flaws in related components. The remediation process must also include comprehensive logging and monitoring of API access patterns to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts.