CVE-2016-6430 in IP Interoperability
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the command-line interface of the Cisco IP Interoperability and Collaboration System (IPICS) could allow an authenticated, local attacker to elevate the privilege level associated with their session. More Information: CSCva38636. Known Affected Releases: 4.10(1). Known Fixed Releases: 5.0(1).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6430 resides within the command-line interface of Cisco IP Interoperability and Collaboration System version 4.10(1), representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that fundamentally undermines the security posture of affected deployments. This issue specifically targets the authentication and authorization mechanisms implemented within the IPICS system, which serves as a crucial component for enterprise communication infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate privilege validation controls within the command-line interface, allowing authenticated users to exploit weaknesses in the session management process. According to Cisco's advisory CSCva38636, the flaw enables local attackers who have already established authentication credentials to manipulate their session privileges and gain elevated access rights. The affected version 4.10(1) represents a critical release where the privilege escalation mechanism was not properly implemented, creating a pathway for malicious actors to escalate their privileges from standard user levels to administrative capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through insufficient input validation and privilege checking mechanisms within the command-line interface components of IPICS. Attackers can exploit this flaw by executing specific commands or sequences that bypass normal access control restrictions, effectively allowing them to escalate their session privileges without requiring additional authentication credentials. The vulnerability operates at the operating system level where the command-line interface processes user inputs and manages session contexts, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users who have legitimate access to the system but lack administrative privileges. This type of flaw typically falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category of privilege escalation vulnerabilities, specifically representing a local privilege escalation issue that aligns with CWE-269. The exploitation process involves leveraging the existing authenticated session to execute commands that modify the privilege level associated with the current user context, effectively granting administrative capabilities to the attacker. The vulnerability does not require network connectivity or external attack vectors, as it operates entirely within the local system environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-6430 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, creating significant risks for enterprise communication environments that rely on IPICS for collaboration and interoperability services. Organizations utilizing affected versions face potential compromise of their entire communication infrastructure, as attackers with minimal privileges can gain full administrative control over the system. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of communication data, as well as the availability of critical business services. The threat landscape surrounding this vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows for persistent access and potential lateral movement within network environments where IPICS systems are deployed. Attackers could leverage the elevated privileges to modify system configurations, access sensitive communication data, install malicious software, or disable security controls. The vulnerability also enables potential data exfiltration and system manipulation that could disrupt business operations and compromise sensitive enterprise communications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-6430 require immediate deployment of Cisco's official patch release 5.0(1) which addresses the privilege escalation flaw through enhanced input validation and proper privilege checking mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive security assessments to identify systems running the vulnerable 4.10(1) release and prioritize patching operations across their infrastructure. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit local access to IPICS systems, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the command-line interface and that administrative privileges are granted based on specific business requirements. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous privilege escalation activities and unauthorized administrative access attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as command auditing, session monitoring, and regular privilege reviews to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and could be categorized under T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through operating system vulnerabilities, making it a critical concern for enterprise security teams implementing comprehensive threat hunting and incident response procedures.