CVE-2016-6397 in IP Interoperability
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the interdevice communications interface of the Cisco IP Interoperability and Collaboration System (IPICS) Universal Media Services (UMS) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to modify configuration parameters of the UMS and cause the system to become unavailable. Affected Products: This vulnerability affects Cisco IPICS releases 4.8(1) to 4.10(1). More Information: CSCva46644. Known Affected Releases: 4.10(1) 4.8(1) 4.8(2) 4.9(1) 4.9(2).
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6397 resides within the interdevice communications interface of Cisco's IP Interoperability and Collaboration System (IPICS) Universal Media Services (UMS) component. This flaw represents a significant security weakness that undermines the integrity and availability of critical communication infrastructure. The affected Cisco IPICS versions 4.8(1) through 4.10(1) encompass a range of releases that have been identified as susceptible to exploitation by malicious actors. The vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms within the UMS interface, creating an avenue for unauthorized modification of system parameters without proper authorization. This weakness directly impacts the operational integrity of enterprise communication systems that rely on Cisco's IPICS platform for media services and interoperability functions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to manipulate configuration parameters of the Universal Media Services component, effectively bypassing normal security controls that should protect system configuration settings. This flaw operates at the network level within the interdevice communications interface, where multiple devices within the IPICS ecosystem communicate with each other. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple configuration modification to include potential system availability disruption, as malicious actors could cause the UMS to become unavailable through strategic parameter changes. The attack vector requires no authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any location with network access to the affected system. This represents a classic example of a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows unauthorized users to gain control over system configuration parameters.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-6397 poses serious risks to organizations relying on Cisco IPICS for their communication infrastructure. When exploited, this vulnerability can lead to complete service disruption of the Universal Media Services component, affecting voice and video communication capabilities across the enterprise network. The potential for unauthorized configuration changes means that attackers could modify critical system parameters such as media processing settings, network communication protocols, or service availability configurations. Organizations may experience cascading failures as the compromised UMS component affects other interconnected systems within the IPICS ecosystem, potentially leading to widespread communication outages. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the network or system, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with distributed network architectures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through official Cisco software updates and patches. Organizations must ensure that all affected Cisco IPICS systems are updated to versions that address the authentication weakness in the UMS interdevice communications interface. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted networks. The implementation of network monitoring solutions can help detect anomalous configuration changes that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected components within their IPICS deployments. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and may also relate to CWE-310, concerning cryptographic weaknesses in authentication mechanisms. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and defense evasion through configuration modification. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls and firewall rules to restrict access to UMS communication ports, reducing the attack surface for this specific vulnerability.