CVE-2015-0660 in Virtual TelePresence Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Virtual TelePresence Server Software does not properly restrict use of the serial port, which allows local users to execute arbitrary OS commands as root by leveraging vSphere controller administrative privileges, aka Bug ID CSCus61123.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0660 affects Cisco Virtual TelePresence Server Software and represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that enables local attackers with vSphere controller administrative privileges to execute arbitrary operating system commands with root-level permissions. This vulnerability stems from inadequate restrictions on serial port usage within the software implementation, creating an exploitable path that bypasses normal security controls. The flaw specifically impacts environments where Cisco Virtual TelePresence Server Software operates alongside vSphere infrastructure, making it particularly relevant for organizations utilizing virtualized telepresence solutions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the improper handling of serial port access controls within the Cisco Virtual TelePresence Server Software. When vSphere controller administrative privileges are present, the software fails to adequately validate or restrict serial port operations, allowing malicious input to be interpreted as system commands. This represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and privilege separation, where the serial port interface becomes a vector for command injection attacks. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and more specifically aligns with CWE-78, which addresses OS command injection flaws. The attack requires a local attacker with administrative privileges in the vSphere controller environment, but once exploited, provides full root access to the underlying operating system.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0660 is severe and multifaceted, as it allows for complete system compromise with elevated privileges. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary commands with root-level permissions, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system modification, or establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's exploitation path through vSphere controller administrative privileges means that organizations with virtualized telepresence environments face significant risk, particularly if proper privilege segregation is not implemented. This flaw directly relates to the ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting legitimate credentials for privilege escalation, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreters for execution. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to bypass normal security boundaries that should prevent unauthorized command execution.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Cisco security patches and updates that address the serial port access control issues. Network segmentation and privilege minimization should be enforced to limit the potential impact of compromised vSphere controller accounts. Regular security audits should verify that serial port access is properly restricted and that administrative privileges are granted only to authorized personnel. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for unusual command execution patterns and implementing strict access controls for vSphere controller environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper privilege separation and input validation in virtualized environments, where the combination of multiple administrative interfaces can create unexpected attack vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege controls and regular security assessments of their virtualized infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other components of their telepresence and virtualization ecosystems.