CVE-2015-0764 in Unified MeetingPlace
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Unified MeetingPlace 8.6(1.9) allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a crafted resource request, aka Bug ID CSCus95603.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0764 affects Cisco Unified MeetingPlace version 8.6(1.9) and represents a critical arbitrary file reading flaw that enables remote attackers to access sensitive system files without authentication. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the web interface's resource handling mechanism, allowing malicious actors to craft specially formatted requests that bypass normal access controls. The issue manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input parameters that specify file paths, creating a path traversal condition that can be exploited to retrieve files from the underlying operating system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates entirely within the web application layer, requiring no prior authentication or privileged access to exploit, making it highly attractive to threat actors seeking to gain unauthorized access to system information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic path traversal pattern where attackers can manipulate resource request parameters to navigate the file system hierarchy and access files that should remain protected. The flaw occurs in the application's handling of resource identifiers, where user input directly influences file access operations without proper validation or sanitization. Attackers can construct malicious URLs or request parameters that include directory traversal sequences such as "../" to move up the directory structure and access files outside the intended web root. This allows for the retrieval of configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other sensitive data that could provide attackers with additional attack vectors or system intelligence. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0764 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the ability to read arbitrary files can provide attackers with critical system intelligence that enables more sophisticated attacks. Successful exploitation could lead to the compromise of administrative credentials stored in configuration files, exposure of database connection strings, or access to source code that might reveal additional vulnerabilities within the application. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the network or system. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Unified MeetingPlace systems may be exposed to external networks or where the application serves as a gateway to internal systems. The vulnerability can also be leveraged as a stepping stone for further attacks, potentially enabling privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the official Cisco security patches released to address the path traversal flaw, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious path traversal attempts, and restricting external access to the Unified MeetingPlace web interface. Network segmentation strategies should be employed to limit access to the vulnerable system, and comprehensive monitoring should be implemented to detect suspicious file access patterns. The vulnerability's presence in a collaboration platform makes it particularly attractive to threat actors targeting enterprise environments, as it can provide access to meeting data, user information, and potentially sensitive business communications. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other applications or systems that may be susceptible to similar path traversal vulnerabilities, as this type of flaw is commonly found in web applications that handle file operations. The incident highlights the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application development, as well as the necessity of regular security assessments and patch management processes.