CVE-2015-0717 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Unified Communications Manager 10.0(1.10000.12) allows local users to gain privileges via a command string in an unspecified parameter, aka Bug ID CSCut19546.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2022
Cisco Unified Communications Manager version 10.0(1.10000.12) contains a local privilege escalation vulnerability that stems from improper input validation within an unspecified parameter handling mechanism. This flaw enables authenticated local users to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges, potentially compromising the entire communication infrastructure. The vulnerability resides in the application's command processing logic where user-supplied input is not adequately sanitized or validated before being processed. The unspecified parameter in question likely represents a command-line interface component or configuration parameter that accepts user input without proper authorization checks or input filtering mechanisms. This type of vulnerability typically falls under the CWE-78 principle of improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, where user-controllable data is directly incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with elevated system access that could enable them to manipulate core communication services, access sensitive telephony data, modify user configurations, or potentially establish persistent access points within the network. Local users who already possess basic system credentials can exploit this flaw to bypass normal access controls and gain administrative privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users share system resources. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to move laterally within the communication infrastructure and potentially access other interconnected systems that rely on the unified communications platform. From an attack perspective, this represents a critical weakness in the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate input validation practices that violate security best practices outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the affected Cisco Unified Communications Manager version to the latest available release that addresses the privilege escalation flaw. Organizations should also implement comprehensive monitoring of system logs for suspicious command executions and unauthorized privilege escalation attempts. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit local user access to only necessary system components. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local system access, which means implementing strong local authentication controls and regularly reviewing user access permissions becomes crucial. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify similar input validation flaws in other system components and ensure proper code reviews are performed for all command processing functions. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege enforcement and regular privilege auditing can help reduce the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting local system access and command execution capabilities that allow attackers to gain elevated system privileges.