CVE-2017-3844 in Prime Collaboration Assurance
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in exporting functions of the user interface for Cisco Prime Collaboration Assurance could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to view file directory listings and download files. Affected Products: Cisco Prime Collaboration Assurance software versions 11.0, 11.1, and 11.5 are vulnerable. Cisco Prime Collaboration Assurance software versions prior to 11.0 are not vulnerable. More Information: CSCvc86238. Known Affected Releases: 11.5(0).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3844 resides within Cisco Prime Collaboration Assurance software, specifically impacting versions 11.0, 11.1, and 11.5. This issue represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the application's user interface components. The vulnerability stems from improper access controls and inadequate input validation mechanisms within the file export functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's directory traversal capabilities. The affected software operates within enterprise collaboration environments where it manages and monitors communication infrastructure, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking unauthorized access to sensitive network data and configuration files.
This vulnerability falls under the category of improper access control as classified by CWE-284, where the application fails to properly restrict access to its file system operations. The flaw allows authenticated attackers to manipulate the file export functions and gain access to directory listings that should remain restricted to authorized personnel only. The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's inability to properly sanitize user inputs when processing file export requests, enabling attackers to craft malicious requests that traverse the file system beyond intended boundaries. This weakness enables the attacker to access files that are not meant to be exposed through the user interface, potentially including sensitive configuration data, logs, and other operational files that could provide valuable intelligence for further attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3844 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it provides attackers with the capability to download potentially sensitive information from the affected system. This access could enable adversaries to gather intelligence about network topology, user credentials, system configurations, and other operational details that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the network infrastructure, allowing them to operate from external locations while compromising the system. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where Cisco Prime Collaboration Assurance is used to monitor critical communication infrastructure, as this could provide attackers with insights into network operations and potential points of further compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by Cisco to address the specific access control flaws in the affected versions. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the affected system to trusted network segments only. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor for suspicious file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of file system permissions and access controls within the affected applications, ensuring that unnecessary file access capabilities are disabled or restricted. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls for user accounts that interact with the application can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and credential access domains, where adversaries seek to expand their access within compromised systems to gather additional intelligence and maintain persistence.