CVE-2016-1444 in TelePresence Video Communication Server
Summary
by MITRE
The Mobile and Remote Access (MRA) component in Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Server (VCS) X8.1 through X8.7 and Expressway X8.1 through X8.6 mishandles certificates, which allows remote attackers to bypass authentication via an arbitrary trusted certificate, aka Bug ID CSCuz64601.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1444 affects the Mobile and Remote Access component within Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Server (VCS) and Expressway products, specifically impacting versions X8.1 through X8.7 for VCS and X8.1 through X8.6 for Expressway. This issue represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that stems from improper certificate handling mechanisms within the system's security architecture. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to properly validate certificate trust relationships, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthorized remote access through the use of arbitrary trusted certificates.
The technical flaw resides in the certificate validation process where the MRA component does not adequately verify the authenticity and proper trust chain of certificates presented during authentication attempts. This weakness enables attackers to craft or obtain certificates that appear trusted to the system's validation routines, effectively circumventing the intended authentication controls. The vulnerability operates at the transport layer security level, where certificate-based authentication should enforce strict trust validation but instead permits certificate substitution attacks. This flaw aligns with CWE-295 which addresses improper certificate validation and certificate trust chain verification issues. The attack vector requires remote access and does not necessitate local privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from external networks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized administrative access to video communication systems that could serve as critical infrastructure components in enterprise networks. Once authenticated, attackers could manipulate video conferencing configurations, access sensitive communication data, or potentially use the compromised system as a pivot point for further network exploration. The vulnerability affects organizations relying on Cisco VCS and Expressway solutions for secure video communications, particularly those in sectors requiring high-security communications such as government, financial services, and healthcare. The implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access as these systems often integrate with other enterprise security components, potentially enabling more sophisticated attack scenarios. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers could leverage compromised credentials or exploit the certificate bypass to establish persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1444 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates. Organizations must implement comprehensive certificate management policies that include regular certificate audits and validation procedures to prevent unauthorized certificate deployment. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. The implementation of additional authentication layers such as two-factor authentication can provide defense-in-depth against certificate-based bypass attacks. Security monitoring should include detection of anomalous certificate usage patterns and unauthorized authentication attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary certificate trust relationships and implementing certificate pinning mechanisms where appropriate. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar certificate handling weaknesses in other network components. The remediation process must include thorough validation that patched systems maintain proper certificate trust validation without introducing new operational issues, as improper certificate handling during patching could create additional security gaps.