CVE-2015-4206 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Unified Communications Manager (UCM) 8.0 through 8.6 allows remote attackers to bypass an XSS protection mechanism via a crafted parameter, aka Bug ID CSCuu15266.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2022
Cisco Unified Communications Manager version 8.0 through 8.6 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that enables remote attackers to circumvent the built-in XSS protection mechanisms through the manipulation of crafted parameters. This vulnerability resides within the web-based administration interface of the unified communications platform, which serves as the central management point for voice, video, and messaging services. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters that are processed by the application's web server components, allowing malicious payloads to be executed in the context of authenticated sessions. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, specifically manifesting as cross-site scripting that bypasses security controls designed to prevent malicious script execution. According to the ATT&CK framework, this represents a technique categorized under T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers can leverage the vulnerability to execute arbitrary scripts against authenticated users. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal authentication tokens, and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive communication data. The affected versions of UCM are particularly vulnerable because they lack proper encoding and validation of input parameters before rendering them in web responses. Attackers can craft malicious URLs containing specially formatted parameters that, when processed by the vulnerable application, bypass the XSS protection mechanisms and execute malicious scripts in the victim's browser context. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in enterprise communication infrastructure, as it allows remote code execution within the context of user sessions, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to voice and video communication services.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize user input parameters that are used in the generation of dynamic web content. When the UCM web interface processes user-supplied parameters without adequate sanitization, it creates an environment where malicious scripts can be injected and executed in the browser of authenticated users. The XSS protection mechanisms that should normally intercept and block such malicious inputs are bypassed due to the specific nature of the crafted parameters that exploit a gap in the validation logic. This gap allows attackers to inject script code that executes in the victim's browser when they navigate to pages containing the malicious parameters, effectively creating a persistent attack vector. The vulnerability's exploitability is enhanced by the fact that it requires no special privileges to initiate, as the attack can be launched from any remote location and only requires that a user accesses a maliciously crafted URL. The affected parameters typically involve fields that are used for displaying user information, configuration settings, or other dynamic content within the web interface, making them prime targets for injection attacks. The vulnerability's classification as a bypass of existing security controls aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential harvesting through social engineering, as attackers can leverage the XSS flaw to capture session tokens and credentials from authenticated users. The security implications are particularly severe given that UCM serves as the central management point for enterprise voice and video communications, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise communication infrastructure.
Organizations utilizing Cisco Unified Communications Manager versions 8.0 through 8.6 should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that address the specific XSS bypass mechanism. Cisco has released patches specifically targeting this vulnerability, and organizations must ensure that all affected systems receive these updates as soon as possible. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit access to the UCM administration interface, reducing the attack surface available to potential attackers. Web application firewalls should be configured to monitor and block suspicious parameter patterns that could indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify any additional vulnerabilities within the communication infrastructure. The implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms should be enforced across all web applications within the environment to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other systems. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns or attempts to exploit the vulnerability, with alerts configured for any suspicious parameter usage in web requests. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should be implemented to help staff recognize and avoid potentially malicious links or web content that could exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability's impact on enterprise communication infrastructure underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and implementing comprehensive security monitoring across all critical systems. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for access to the UCM administration interface to add additional layers of protection beyond the basic authentication mechanisms. Regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar security gaps that could potentially be exploited by attackers targeting the same or related systems. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches and updates in non-production environments before deployment to ensure that no unintended consequences occur in the critical communication infrastructure.