CVE-2015-0699 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) component in Cisco Unified Communications Manager (UCM) 10.5(1.98991.13) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors, aka Bug ID CSCut21563.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-0699 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Cisco Unified Communications Manager's Interactive Voice Response component, specifically affecting version 10.5(1.98991.13). This vulnerability exposes the system to remote exploitation where malicious actors can inject arbitrary SQL commands through unspecified attack vectors within the IVR functionality. The issue falls under the broader category of insecure input handling and improper data validation within telecommunications infrastructure software, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on Cisco UCM for their voice communication systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user inputs within the IVR processing module of Cisco UCM. When the system processes voice interactions and related data through the IVR component, it fails to properly validate or escape input parameters that could contain malicious SQL code. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries executed by the system, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information, modifying database records, or even executing administrative commands on the affected system. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-89 SQL Injection weakness, which directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol: Structured Query Language.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it can lead to complete system takeover and unauthorized access to voice communication infrastructure. Attackers could potentially intercept or manipulate voice calls, access user authentication data, or escalate privileges within the UCM environment. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the network or system, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for enterprise environments. Organizations using Cisco UCM for mission-critical communications face significant risk of service disruption, data breaches, and potential regulatory compliance violations if this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0699 should prioritize immediate patch application from Cisco, specifically addressing the identified bug ID CSCut21563. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected IVR component to untrusted networks. Database query parameterization and input validation should be enforced across all communication interfaces, with regular security assessments of the telephony infrastructure. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous database access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of securing telecommunications infrastructure components, as these systems often contain sensitive data and provide access to core enterprise communication services, making them attractive targets for advanced persistent threats and cybercriminal operations.