CVE-2015-6304 in TelePresence Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Cisco TelePresence Server software 3.0(2.24) allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of arbitrary users, aka Bug IDs CSCut63718, CSCut63724, and CSCut63760.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2022
The CVE-2015-6304 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw discovered in Cisco TelePresence Server software version 3.0(2.24). This vulnerability enables remote attackers to exploit the authentication mechanisms of the system by tricking authenticated users into performing unintended actions without their knowledge or consent. The issue affects the telepresence server software that facilitates video conferencing and collaboration services, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where secure communication is paramount. The vulnerability manifests through the lack of proper CSRF protection mechanisms within the web-based administrative interfaces and API endpoints of the telepresence server.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the absence of anti-CSRF tokens or other sufficient validation mechanisms in the server's web interface. When legitimate users access the telepresence server's administrative functions, the system fails to adequately verify the authenticity of requests originating from external sources. Attackers can craft malicious web pages or manipulate existing web traffic to submit requests that appear to come from authenticated users, leveraging the server's trust in legitimate sessions. This flaw operates at the application layer and specifically targets the authentication and session management components of the telepresence server software, allowing unauthorized modifications to system configurations and potentially full administrative control over the affected server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to video conferencing services. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could modify system settings, access sensitive meeting data, disrupt ongoing video conferences, or even gain persistent access to the telepresence infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations using Cisco TelePresence Server software in enterprise environments, potentially exposing critical communication infrastructure to unauthorized manipulation. Given that telepresence systems often handle confidential business communications and sensitive data exchanges, the compromise of such systems can result in significant business disruption and potential data breaches. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the network or system to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by Cisco, implementing proper CSRF token validation mechanisms, and reviewing access controls to limit administrative privileges. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious activities related to telepresence server access. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and initial access through web application attacks, potentially leading to lateral movement within the network. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other enterprise applications and systems. The incident highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust authentication mechanisms across all enterprise communication platforms to prevent similar exploitation vectors.