CVE-2016-0356 in Sametime Enterprise Meeting Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Sametime Enterprise Meeting Server 8.5.2 and 9.0 could allow an authenticated user that has been invited to a Sametime meeting room, to cause the screen sharing to cease through the use of cross-site request forgery. IBM X-Force ID: 111895.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0356 affects IBM Sametime Enterprise Meeting Server versions 8.5.2 and 9.0, representing a significant security flaw that undermines the integrity of authenticated meeting sessions. This cross-site request forgery vulnerability specifically targets the screen sharing functionality within Sametime meeting rooms, creating a potential disruption vector that could be exploited by malicious actors who have gained legitimate invitation access to meetings. The flaw operates by allowing an authenticated user to manipulate the meeting environment through forged requests, effectively compromising the continuous operation of screen sharing features that are critical for collaborative work sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of cross-site requests within the Sametime meeting server architecture. When a user is invited to a meeting room and authenticated, the system should maintain consistent session integrity throughout the meeting duration. However, the vulnerability allows for malicious request manipulation that can cause the screen sharing component to terminate unexpectedly. This occurs because the system fails to properly verify the origin of requests related to screen sharing functionality, enabling attackers to craft forged requests that appear legitimate to the server. The vulnerability specifically impacts the meeting room management protocols where screen sharing controls are processed, creating a window of opportunity for session disruption attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can significantly compromise meeting productivity and collaborative workflows within enterprise environments. When screen sharing ceases unexpectedly during critical business presentations or collaborative sessions, it can result in loss of valuable meeting time, reduced productivity, and potential business disruption. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only an authenticated user with meeting room access, meaning that insiders or compromised legitimate users could exploit this weakness without requiring additional privileged access. This makes the attack vector more accessible and potentially more damaging in corporate environments where meeting security might not be rigorously enforced.
Organizations utilizing IBM Sametime Enterprise Meeting Server should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates. The fix typically involves implementing proper request origin validation and CSRF token mechanisms within the meeting server's screen sharing components. Network segmentation and monitoring of meeting server communications can help detect anomalous request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, administrators should review and tighten access controls for meeting rooms, ensuring that only authorized participants have the appropriate level of access. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery flaws, and represents a concern for the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and denial of service categories, particularly under the T1210 technique for exploiting weaknesses in remote services. Organizations should also consider implementing additional logging and monitoring around screen sharing events to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain audit trails for security investigations.