CVE-2016-1434 in 8800 IP Phone
Summary
by MITRE
The license-certificate upload functionality on Cisco 8800 phones with software 11.0(1) allows remote authenticated users to delete arbitrary files via an invalid file, aka Bug ID CSCuz03010.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1434 affects Cisco 8800 series phones running software version 11.0(1) and represents a critical file deletion flaw within the license-certificate upload mechanism. This vulnerability specifically targets the file handling process during certificate and license uploads, creating an opportunity for remote authenticated attackers to exploit improper input validation and file system manipulation. The issue stems from insufficient sanitization of file names and paths during the upload process, allowing maliciously crafted file references to traverse the file system and delete arbitrary files on the device.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a path traversal attack vector that leverages the license-certificate upload functionality to execute unauthorized file deletion operations. When an authenticated user uploads a specially crafted certificate or license file, the system fails to properly validate the file name or path components, enabling attackers to include directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ in the file reference. This weakness allows the attacker to navigate beyond the intended upload directory and target system files, potentially leading to complete system compromise or service disruption.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise communication infrastructures that rely on Cisco 8800 series phones for voice and data services. The ability to delete arbitrary files remotely undermines the integrity and availability of the phone system, potentially affecting critical business operations including emergency services, inter-office communications, and unified communications services. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network security controls may be insufficient. According to CWE-22, this vulnerability maps directly to path traversal flaws in file systems, which are classified as high-risk due to their potential for system compromise.
The exploitability of this vulnerability requires only authenticated access to the device, making it particularly concerning in environments where administrative credentials are compromised or where users have unnecessary access privileges. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to remove critical system files, disable phone functionality, or potentially create backdoor access points by deleting security-related components. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption to include potential data loss, system instability, and the possibility of escalating privileges within the device's operating environment.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest Cisco security patches and firmware updates that address this specific vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit unauthorized access to phone systems, while monitoring should be implemented to detect suspicious upload activities. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1211 for lateral movement through credential access and T1485 for data destruction, making it a significant concern for organizations following the MITRE ATT&CK framework for threat analysis. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar path traversal issues in other network components and ensure comprehensive protection against such attack vectors.