CVE-2017-3836 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web framework Cisco Unified Communications Manager could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to view sensitive data. More Information: CSCvb61689. Known Affected Releases: 11.5(1.11007.2). Known Fixed Releases: 12.0(0.98000.162) 12.0(0.98000.178) 12.0(0.98000.383) 12.0(0.98000.488) 12.0(0.98000.536) 12.0(0.98000.6) 12.0(0.98500.6).
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3836 represents a critical security flaw within Cisco Unified Communications Manager's web framework that enables unauthenticated remote attackers to access sensitive data without requiring any credentials or prior access privileges. This weakness specifically affects the web-based administrative interface of the unified communications platform, creating a significant exposure point for organizations relying on this infrastructure for their voice and collaboration services. The vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and authentication mechanisms within the web framework components, allowing malicious actors to bypass normal security boundaries and retrieve confidential information from the system.
This technical flaw manifests as a privilege escalation vulnerability that operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the web interface components of Cisco Unified Communications Manager version 11.5(1.11007.2). The vulnerability permits unauthorized data retrieval through crafted requests that exploit insufficient input validation and access control checks within the web framework. Attackers can leverage this weakness to access sensitive configuration data, user credentials, system logs, and other confidential information that should only be accessible to authorized administrators. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems, and represents a significant deviation from standard security practices that should prevent unauthorized data access through web interfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3836 extends beyond simple data exposure, as the compromised information could enable further attacks within the network infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains access to critical system information that could facilitate additional penetration attempts, including credential theft, network reconnaissance, and potential lateral movement within the organization's communications infrastructure. The affected Cisco Unified Communications Manager versions represent a substantial attack surface since these systems typically serve as central communication hubs for enterprise networks, making the exposure particularly concerning for organizations with extensive telephony and collaboration deployments. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from outside the network perimeter, eliminating the need for physical access or insider knowledge.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including applying the available patches from Cisco's security advisories, which are referenced in the known fixed releases including versions 12.0(0.98000.162) through 12.0(0.98500.6). Network segmentation strategies should be implemented to isolate the affected systems from critical network segments, while monitoring for suspicious web traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of their unified communications infrastructure to identify any other potentially vulnerable systems that may share similar architectural weaknesses. The vulnerability's characteristics align with tactics described in the ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and credential access domains, emphasizing the importance of layered security approaches that include both preventive measures and active monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to such threats effectively.