CVE-2015-6384 in WebEx Meetings Application
Summary
by MITRE
The Cisco WebEx Meetings application before 8.5.1 for Android improperly initializes custom application permissions, which allows attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via a crafted application, aka Bug ID CSCuw86442.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6384 affects the Cisco WebEx Meetings application version 8.5.1 and earlier on the Android platform, representing a critical security flaw in permission handling mechanisms. This issue stems from improper initialization of custom application permissions during the application's runtime, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent intended access controls. The vulnerability specifically targets the Android operating system's permission model, which is designed to protect user data and system resources by restricting application capabilities. When custom permissions are not properly initialized, applications may inadvertently grant elevated privileges to malicious components that would normally be restricted, effectively undermining the security boundaries established by the Android permission system.
The technical flaw manifests in how the WebEx application manages its permission requests and initialization sequences, allowing attackers to craft malicious applications that can exploit the improperly configured permission states. This misconfiguration creates a privilege escalation vector where unauthorized code can gain access to sensitive application functionalities or user data that should be restricted to legitimate WebEx users. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple permission bypass, as it can potentially enable attackers to access communication sessions, user credentials, or other sensitive meeting data that the application typically protects. From a cybersecurity perspective, this represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, where applications should only request and be granted the minimum permissions necessary for their core functionality, yet the flaw allows for excessive permission granting through manipulation of the permission initialization process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on Cisco WebEx for business communications, as it creates an attack surface that could be exploited by adversaries to gain unauthorized access to sensitive meeting content, user information, or communication channels. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to eavesdrop on meetings, access confidential business information, or manipulate meeting participants' sessions. The vulnerability's exploitation requires a crafted malicious application that can leverage the improperly initialized permissions to gain elevated access within the WebEx application environment, making it particularly concerning for enterprise users who may inadvertently install compromised applications from untrusted sources. This flaw particularly impacts organizations following the principle of defense in depth, as it represents a failure in the application layer security controls that should protect against such unauthorized access scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-6384 should focus on immediate application updates to version 8.5.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to properly initialize custom application permissions. Organizations should implement strict application deployment policies that prevent installation of unsigned or untrusted applications on devices that may access sensitive meeting data. Network administrators should monitor for suspicious application installations and ensure that mobile device management policies are enforced to prevent unauthorized application modifications. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-255 Improper Handling of Credentials and ATT&CK technique T1068, which addresses the exploitation of application vulnerabilities for privilege escalation. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing application whitelisting controls and regular security assessments of mobile applications to identify similar permission handling flaws that could be exploited in similar scenarios, ensuring that the Android permission system operates as intended for protecting user data and system integrity.