CVE-2015-0758 in Unified MeetingPlace
Summary
by MITRE
The web-based user interface in Cisco Unified MeetingPlace 8.6(1.9) allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via an XML document containing an external entity declaration in conjunction with an entity reference, related to an XML External Entity (XXE) issue, aka Bug ID CSCus97452.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-0758 represents a critical XML External Entity (XXE) flaw within Cisco Unified MeetingPlace 8.6(1.9) web-based user interface. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-611, which specifically addresses improper restriction of XML external entities. The flaw exists in how the system processes XML documents submitted through its web interface, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit the application's XML parser configuration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to craft malicious XML documents that contain external entity declarations. When these documents are processed by the vulnerable system, the XML parser resolves external entity references, enabling attackers to access arbitrary files on the underlying file system. The attack vector specifically leverages the combination of external entity declarations and entity references within XML documents, making it particularly dangerous as it can bypass traditional input validation mechanisms that might not adequately inspect XML structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the ability to read arbitrary files from the system. This capability can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files, user credentials, system logs, and potentially other confidential data stored on the server. The vulnerability affects the web-based management interface of Cisco Unified MeetingPlace, which is typically accessible over network connections, making it exploitable from remote locations without requiring local system access or authentication.
Organizations utilizing Cisco Unified MeetingPlace 8.6(1.9) face significant risk from this vulnerability as it represents a persistent threat that can be exploited by attackers with minimal privileges. The attack requires no special privileges to execute, making it particularly concerning for environments where the web interface is exposed to untrusted networks. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically noting its relationship to the T1566 technique for Phishing with Malicious Attachments and T1071.1003 for Application Layer Protocol: Dns. The vulnerability demonstrates how web applications can be exploited through XML processing flaws to gain unauthorized access to system resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate application of Cisco's security patches and updates, which typically involve disabling external entity resolution in XML parsers or implementing proper input validation for XML content. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to the affected web interface, deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block XXE attack patterns, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict XML processing capabilities within the application to prevent resolution of external entities and ensure that all XML parsing operations are performed with secure configurations that comply with industry best practices for XML security.