CVE-2015-6433 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Cisco Unified Communications Manager 11.0(0.98000.225) allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via a crafted URL, aka Bug ID CSCut66767.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-6433 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Cisco Unified Communications Manager version 11.0(0.98000.225) that enables remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands through manipulated URL parameters. This vulnerability specifically affects the web-based management interface of the communications platform, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by threat actors with valid credentials. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the application's handling of URL parameters, allowing maliciously crafted requests to bypass security controls and directly interact with the underlying database layer.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the classic SQL injection pattern where user-controllable input is improperly integrated into SQL query construction without adequate sanitization or parameterization. When authenticated users submit specially crafted URLs containing malicious SQL payloads, the application fails to properly escape or validate these inputs before incorporating them into database queries. This flaw falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities, and demonstrates how improper input handling can lead to complete database compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication credentials rather than privileged access, making it exploitable by users who have legitimate access to the system but lack administrative privileges.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations relying on Cisco Unified Communications Manager for their voice and collaboration infrastructure. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract sensitive data including user credentials, phone configurations, call logs, and potentially gain access to underlying network resources. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers could modify or delete database records, potentially disrupting critical communication services or creating backdoors for persistent access. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1005 for data from local system, representing both information gathering and command execution capabilities within the compromised environment.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches released through Cisco's advisory process, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious URL patterns, and conducting thorough network segmentation to limit access to the affected system. Additional defensive measures should include monitoring for unusual database query patterns, implementing least privilege access controls for web interface users, and regular security assessments of the unified communications infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper database query construction practices, emphasizing that even authenticated users with legitimate access can pose significant threats when security controls are inadequate. Regular security updates and vulnerability management processes become essential for maintaining protection against such sophisticated attack vectors that leverage legitimate authentication mechanisms to bypass traditional security controls.