CVE-2017-6629 in Unity Connection
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the ImageID parameter of Cisco Unity Connection 10.5(2) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to access files in arbitrary locations on the filesystem of an affected device. The issue is due to improper sanitization of user-supplied input in HTTP POST parameters that describe filenames. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by using directory traversal techniques to submit a path to a desired file location. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvd90118.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6629 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Cisco Unity Connection version 10.5(2), a unified communications platform that integrates voice messaging, email, and web-based collaboration tools. This weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data within HTTP POST parameters, specifically targeting the ImageID parameter that handles filename specifications. The vulnerability exposes the underlying operating system to unauthorized file access attempts through crafted malicious requests that manipulate file path references. Security researchers have classified this issue as a directory traversal attack vector that allows remote exploitation without authentication requirements, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where such communication platforms are extensively deployed. The affected system architecture permits attackers to navigate beyond intended file access boundaries through manipulation of path traversal sequences in the ImageID parameter.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability operates through the exploitation of improper input sanitization practices within the web application layer of Cisco Unity Connection. When the system processes HTTP POST requests containing the ImageID parameter, it fails to validate or sanitize the input data before using it in file system operations. Attackers can leverage this weakness by submitting maliciously crafted directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that manipulate the file path resolution mechanism. The vulnerability specifically affects how the application handles relative path references, allowing an attacker to specify arbitrary file locations on the affected device's filesystem. This flaw enables access to sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially confidential user information stored outside the intended application boundaries. The underlying issue demonstrates poor secure coding practices that violate fundamental security principles for input validation and file access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6629 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, creating potential for broader system compromise and data exfiltration within enterprise networks. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could access critical system files including configuration databases, user credential information, and application logs that may contain sensitive communication data. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this weakness from outside the network perimeter without requiring prior authentication credentials, significantly expanding the attack surface. This vulnerability directly violates security controls defined in the CWE-22 category for Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which addresses path traversal issues in software applications. Organizations utilizing Cisco Unity Connection may face severe consequences including regulatory compliance violations, data breaches, and disruption of unified communications services that could impact business continuity and operational efficiency.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability including applying the official Cisco security patches released under CSCvd90118, which specifically target the input sanitization flaw in the ImageID parameter handling. Network segmentation strategies should be employed to limit access to affected systems, while implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block directory traversal attack patterns. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of file access permissions and implement principle of least privilege controls to minimize the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where improper input handling can lead to unauthorized system access. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be performed to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other network components and applications. Organizations must also establish incident response procedures specifically addressing directory traversal attacks to ensure rapid detection and remediation of such vulnerabilities in their unified communications infrastructure.