CVE-2016-1319 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Unified Communications Manager (aka CallManager) 9.1(2.10000.28), 10.5(2.10000.5), 10.5(2.12901.1), and 11.0(1.10000.10); Unified Communications Manager IM & Presence Service 10.5(2); Unified Contact Center Express 11.0(1); and Unity Connection 10.5(2) store a cleartext encryption key, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors, aka Bug ID CSCuv85958.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2022
Cisco Unified Communications Manager versions 9.1(2.10000.28), 10.5(2.10000.5), 10.5(2.12901.1), and 11.0(1.10000.10) contain a critical security flaw that exposes cleartext encryption keys within the system configuration files. This vulnerability affects not only the primary CallManager service but also the IM & Presence Service 10.5(2), Unified Contact Center Express 11.0(1), and Unity Connection 10.5(2) components, creating a widespread risk across Cisco's unified communications ecosystem. The flaw stems from improper key management practices where encryption keys are stored in plaintext format rather than being properly secured through cryptographic means. This design oversight creates a persistent security weakness that allows local attackers with system access to directly extract these sensitive credentials. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and represents a fundamental failure in secure key handling practices that violates established security principles for protecting cryptographic materials. The unspecified vectors through which attackers can exploit this weakness indicate that the vulnerability may be accessible through multiple attack surfaces including direct system access, privilege escalation scenarios, or through compromised accounts with local access rights.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as the extracted encryption keys can be used to decrypt sensitive communications and potentially compromise the entire unified communications infrastructure. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain access to encrypted voice and video communications, messaging systems, and presence information that should remain protected. This exposure creates a significant risk for enterprise environments where unified communications systems handle confidential business data, personal information, and potentially regulated communications. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple product versions suggests a systemic design flaw rather than an isolated incident, making it particularly concerning for organizations that maintain legacy systems or have delayed security updates. The presence of this weakness in both the primary CallManager service and supporting components like IM & Presence and Contact Center Express creates a cascading risk where compromise of one system component can potentially lead to broader infrastructure penetration. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face elevated risk of data breaches, eavesdropping on sensitive communications, and potential unauthorized access to enterprise communication networks.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention and systematic implementation across affected Cisco Unified Communications deployments. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of the affected software releases, as Cisco has issued security advisories addressing this specific flaw. The remediation process involves not only applying software patches but also conducting thorough inventory assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of the software. System administrators should implement strict access controls and privilege management to limit local user access to system files where cleartext keys may be stored. Network segmentation strategies should be employed to isolate unified communications systems from general network access, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1552.001 (Unsecured Credentials) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) highlights the importance of monitoring network traffic for suspicious activities related to DNS queries and credential access patterns. Regular security assessments should include vulnerability scanning specifically targeting cleartext storage issues and key management practices. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing automated monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized access attempts to system configuration files and encryption key storage locations. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security training for system administrators to ensure proper key management practices are followed and to raise awareness about the risks associated with cleartext storage of sensitive information.