CVE-2015-4229 in Unified Communications Domain Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The web framework in Cisco Unified Communications Domain Manager 8.1(4)ER1 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by visiting a bvsmweb URL, aka Bug ID CSCuq22589.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4229 affects Cisco Unified Communications Domain Manager version 8.1(4)ER1, representing a critical information disclosure flaw within the web framework component. This vulnerability resides in the bvsmweb URL handler which processes requests from remote attackers without proper authentication or authorization checks. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms that permit unauthenticated users to traverse the application's internal structure and retrieve sensitive data that should remain restricted to authorized personnel only. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates entirely through standard web protocols without requiring any special privileges or credentials from the attacker's perspective.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the web framework's failure to properly validate user requests when accessing specific URL endpoints within the bvsmweb interface. Attackers can construct malicious requests that bypass normal access controls and directly access internal system components or configuration data. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-200, which describes improper information disclosure, and represents a classic case of insufficient access control. The vulnerability enables attackers to extract sensitive information such as system configurations, user credentials, or internal network structures that could be leveraged for further exploitation. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no prior authentication and can be executed through standard web browsers or automated tools.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the sensitive data obtained through this attack could provide attackers with critical insights into the internal architecture and configuration of the unified communications system. This information could facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation, lateral movement within the network, or targeted attacks against other systems that share similar configurations. The vulnerability affects organizations using Cisco Unified Communications Domain Manager, which typically serves as a central management point for voice and video communication systems, making the potential impact significant for enterprise environments. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers could use the disclosed information to craft more convincing social engineering campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4229 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Cisco Unified Communications Domain Manager software to the latest available version that addresses this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected system, ensuring that only authorized personnel can reach the vulnerable web interface. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter requests to the bvsmweb URLs, conducting regular security assessments of the web framework components, and establishing proper access control policies that restrict access to sensitive system information. Security teams should also monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts and maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to detect potential attack patterns associated with this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce any compatibility issues with existing communication services while maintaining the integrity of the unified communications infrastructure.