CVE-2016-6464 in Unified Communications Manager IM
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web management interface of the Cisco Unified Communications Manager IM and Presence Service could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to view information on web pages that should be restricted. More Information: CSCva49629. Known Affected Releases: 11.5(1). Known Fixed Releases: 11.5(1.12000.2) 12.0(0.98000.181).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6464 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Cisco Unified Communications Manager IM and Presence Service web management interface. This security weakness specifically affects the authentication mechanisms that govern access to restricted web content, creating a scenario where unauthenticated remote attackers can bypass normal access controls to view sensitive information that should be protected. The vulnerability manifests in the web server component responsible for handling administrative requests and user interface interactions, fundamentally undermining the security posture of the communication platform. The affected version 11.5(1) demonstrates a failure in implementing proper access control validation, allowing malicious actors to exploit this weakness from external network positions without requiring valid credentials or prior authentication.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control enforcement within the web management interface components. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific HTTP requests that target protected web pages and resources, effectively bypassing the authentication mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized access. This flaw operates at the application layer and specifically impacts the web server's ability to properly validate user permissions before serving restricted content. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting through web application attacks. The root cause involves the web interface failing to properly verify user authentication status before rendering sensitive content, creating an information exposure condition that violates fundamental security principles of least privilege access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to potentially sensitive configuration data, user information, and system parameters that could be leveraged for further attacks. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability from any location without requiring physical access to the network or prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where communication systems are critical infrastructure components. The compromised information could include user presence data, messaging logs, system configuration details, and other administrative information that could aid in subsequent phases of an attack. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity aspects of the CIA triad, potentially enabling attackers to gain insights into user communication patterns, system architecture, and operational details that could facilitate more sophisticated attacks. Organizations may face compliance violations and regulatory penalties if sensitive information is exposed through this vulnerability, particularly in industries with strict data protection requirements.
Organizations affected by CVE-2016-6464 should immediately implement the vendor-provided patches available in the fixed releases 11.5(1.12000.2) and 12.0(0.98000.181) to remediate the access control weakness. The patch addresses the underlying authentication bypass mechanism by strengthening input validation and ensuring proper access control enforcement before content rendering. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring and access control measures, including firewall rules that restrict access to the web management interface to trusted administrative networks only. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implement intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious web requests targeting the affected interface. The remediation process should include verification that the patches have been properly applied and that access controls are functioning correctly, with regular audits to ensure continued protection against similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also review their overall security posture and implement principle of least privilege access controls for all web-based administrative interfaces to prevent similar issues in other components of their communication infrastructure.