CVE-2015-4218 in Jabber
Summary
by MITRE
The web-based user interface in Cisco Jabber through 9.6(3) and 9.7 through 9.7(5) on Windows allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a crafted value in a GET request, aka Bug IDs CSCuu65622 and CSCuu70858.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4218 affects Cisco Jabber versions through 9.6(3) and 9.7 through 9.7(5) on Windows platforms, representing a critical information disclosure flaw within the web-based user interface component. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or filter user-supplied data submitted through GET requests. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes crafted malicious values that trigger unintended information exposure through the web interface, allowing remote attackers to extract sensitive data from the system. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad by enabling unauthorized data access without proper authentication or authorization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the web server component of Cisco Jabber's Windows client, where GET request parameters are processed without adequate sanitization measures. Attackers can construct specially crafted HTTP GET requests containing malicious values that exploit the insufficient input validation logic. When the web interface processes these requests, the system inadvertently reveals sensitive information through the response payload. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and may also relate to CWE-200, which covers exposure of sensitive information. The attack vector is remote and requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the network.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the sensitive data potentially exposed could include system configurations, user credentials, or other confidential information that could be leveraged for further attacks. An attacker could use the leaked information to conduct more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation, lateral movement within the network, or targeted social engineering campaigns. The vulnerability affects organizations using Cisco Jabber in enterprise environments where the application serves as a communication platform, potentially exposing critical business and user data. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers system information discovery, and could support broader reconnaissance activities. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions indicates a fundamental flaw in the input handling mechanism that was not adequately addressed in the affected releases.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the relevant Cisco security patches and updates that address the input validation issues in the web interface. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit access to the affected Jabber web interface, while monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous GET request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, administrators should consider disabling the web interface functionality if it is not essential for business operations, and implement regular security assessments to identify similar input validation vulnerabilities in other enterprise applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input sanitization and validation in web applications, particularly in client-side software that exposes web interfaces to external networks.