CVE-2015-6364 in Content Delivery System Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Content Delivery System Manager Software 3.2 on Videoscape Distribution Suite Service Manager allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via crafted URLs in REST API requests, aka Bug ID CSCuv86960.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6364 affects Cisco Content Delivery System Manager Software version 3.2 within the Videoscape Distribution Suite Service Manager environment. This flaw represents a sensitive information disclosure issue that manifests through manipulated Uniform Resource Locators within REST API interactions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the application's processing of API requests, specifically when handling crafted URL parameters that contain maliciously constructed paths or query strings. Attackers can exploit this weakness by constructing specially formatted URLs that bypass normal access controls and authentication checks, thereby gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data that should remain protected.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the REST API endpoint handling logic where the system fails to properly sanitize or validate incoming URL parameters before processing them. When a maliciously crafted URL is submitted to the API, the system's insufficient input validation allows arbitrary path traversal or parameter manipulation that can reveal internal system information, configuration details, or other sensitive data that would normally be restricted to authorized personnel only. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-20 category of "Improper Input Validation" and represents a classic example of how inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data can lead to information disclosure attacks. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by remote attackers without prior access credentials.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6364 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the sensitive data exposed through this vulnerability can provide attackers with critical system intelligence for further exploitation attempts. The disclosed information may include system configurations, user credentials, internal network topology details, or other administrative data that could facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation, lateral movement, or additional system compromise. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad and can potentially enable attackers to map the internal infrastructure of the content delivery system, identify weak points in the network architecture, and develop more targeted attack strategies. The exposure of internal system details through this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the information gathering and reconnaissance phases, where attackers collect system information to plan subsequent malicious activities.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates released for the Cisco Content Delivery System Manager Software. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the affected API endpoints, while implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures at the application level. Additionally, monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect anomalous API request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper API security implementation and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of web services to prevent similar issues. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests and establish security awareness training for administrators to recognize potential exploitation indicators. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches to ensure they do not introduce compatibility issues with existing system configurations while maintaining the security posture against this specific information disclosure vulnerability.