CVE-2017-3837 in Meeting Server
Summary
by MITRE
An HTTP Packet Processing vulnerability in the Web Bridge interface of the Cisco Meeting Server (CMS), formerly Acano Conferencing Server, could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to retrieve memory contents, which could lead to the disclosure of confidential information. In addition, the attacker could potentially cause the application to crash unexpectedly, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. The attacker would need to be authenticated and have a valid session with the Web Bridge. Affected Products: This vulnerability affects Cisco Meeting Server software releases prior to 2.1.2. This product was previously known as Acano Conferencing Server. More Information: CSCvc89551. Known Affected Releases: 2.0 2.0.7 2.1. Known Fixed Releases: 2.1.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
The CVE-2017-3837 vulnerability represents a critical HTTP packet processing flaw within the Web Bridge interface of Cisco Meeting Server, formerly known as Acano Conferencing Server. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the web-based management interface that administrators use to configure and manage conferencing sessions. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and memory handling within the HTTP processing stack, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to exploit memory disclosure mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only legitimate authentication credentials to exploit, meaning that an attacker who has gained access to a valid user session can leverage this weakness to extract sensitive data from the server's memory space.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper handling of HTTP packet structures within the Web Bridge component, which processes web requests for conference management and user authentication. When an authenticated user sends specially crafted HTTP requests through the web interface, the vulnerable code fails to properly validate or sanitize incoming packet data, leading to memory corruption that allows arbitrary data retrieval. This memory disclosure could expose sensitive information such as session tokens, user credentials, system configuration details, or other confidential data stored in memory during normal operation. The vulnerability operates under CWE-125, which classifies it as an "Out-of-bounds Read" condition where the application reads memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. Additionally, the flaw can be categorized under CWE-129, representing "Improper Validation of Array Index," as the system fails to properly validate the boundaries of memory access operations during HTTP request processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond mere information disclosure to include potential denial of service conditions that can severely disrupt conferencing services. Attackers with valid sessions can craft malicious requests that cause the Web Bridge interface to crash unexpectedly, leading to service interruption for legitimate users. This dual nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where conferencing systems are critical for business operations. The vulnerability affects Cisco Meeting Server software releases prior to version 2.1.2, indicating that organizations running older versions are at risk, while the fix in release 2.1.2 addresses the root cause by implementing proper input validation and memory boundary checking mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005, which covers "Data from Local System," as attackers can extract sensitive information from the compromised system's memory.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Cisco Meeting Server version 2.1.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the memory handling issues. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit the scope of potential exploitation, ensuring that only authorized personnel can establish valid sessions with the Web Bridge interface. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of HTTP requests that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on malformed packet structures or rapid successive requests that could trigger memory access violations. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify other potential vulnerabilities in the conferencing infrastructure, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in web-based management interfaces. The fix implemented in version 2.1.2 addresses the core memory handling flaws by introducing robust bounds checking and input sanitization procedures that prevent unauthorized memory access patterns while maintaining normal application functionality.