CVE-2016-1468 in TelePresence Video Communication Server Expressway
Summary
by MITRE
The administrative web interface in Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Server Expressway X8.5.2 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via crafted fields, aka Bug ID CSCuv12531.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1468 resides within the administrative web interface of Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Server Expressway version 8.5.2, representing a critical remote command execution flaw that fundamentally compromises the security posture of affected systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface components that handle user input processing, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to inject and execute arbitrary system commands with elevated privileges. The flaw manifests through improperly validated input fields within the web administration console, which fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied data before processing, thereby enabling malicious command injection attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the web interface's backend processing logic. When authenticated users submit crafted data through specific administrative fields, the system fails to properly filter or escape special characters that could be interpreted as command delimiters or shell metacharacters. This weakness aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, specifically addressing improper input validation and code injection vulnerabilities that have been consistently documented in security frameworks. The vulnerability operates under the principle that authenticated users can leverage their access privileges to escalate their capabilities beyond normal administrative boundaries, effectively transforming legitimate administrative access into full system compromise.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations relying on Cisco TelePresence infrastructure, as it enables attackers who have gained administrative credentials to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. The implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to install backdoors, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, or establish persistent access to the network. The remote nature of the vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative interfaces are accessible over the network. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, providing threat actors with established methodologies for leveraging the flaw.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the latest security patches provided by Cisco, which address the input validation deficiencies in the administrative web interface. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit access to administrative interfaces to only authorized personnel with legitimate business needs. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous command execution patterns and unusual administrative activities can provide early warning of exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of administrative access logs to identify any potential exploitation attempts that may have occurred prior to patch deployment, as the vulnerability could have been leveraged for extended periods without detection. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the vulnerability has been fully addressed while maintaining operational continuity of critical communication infrastructure.