CVE-2017-6635 in Prime Collaboration Provisioning
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web interface of Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning Software (prior to Release 12.1) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to delete any file from an affected system. The vulnerability exists because the affected software does not perform proper input validation of HTTP requests and fails to apply role-based access controls (RBACs) to requested HTTP URLs. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request that uses directory traversal techniques to submit a path to a desired file location on an affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to delete any file from the system. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvc99597.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6635 resides within Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning Software versions prior to Release 12.1, presenting a critical security flaw that enables authenticated remote attackers to execute unauthorized file deletion operations. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web interface, specifically failing to properly sanitize HTTP requests before processing them. The flaw represents a significant weakness in the software's security architecture as it allows attackers to bypass normal access controls through crafted requests that manipulate directory traversal sequences. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data access as it provides the attacker with destructive capabilities that could compromise system integrity and availability. The affected system's failure to implement proper role-based access controls means that authenticated users can potentially escalate their privileges through malicious requests targeting system files. This weakness creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate the underlying file system and remove critical components that may be essential for system operation or contain sensitive data. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges since the attacker only needs authenticated access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative credentials might be compromised. The attack vector leverages HTTP requests that contain directory traversal techniques, allowing the attacker to specify arbitrary file paths within the system's file structure. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a well-known weakness in web application security that enables unauthorized access to system resources. The lack of proper input validation creates an environment where attacker-controlled data can directly influence system operations, particularly file manipulation functions.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2017-6635 requires an attacker to construct a specific HTTP request that includes directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ to navigate to arbitrary file locations within the target system. The vulnerability's root cause lies in the software's failure to implement proper path validation and access control mechanisms, which should normally prevent users from accessing files outside of their designated operational boundaries. When the web interface processes these malformed requests, it fails to sanitize the input properly, allowing the directory traversal components to be interpreted literally by the file system. This creates a condition where legitimate file operations can be subverted to target any file on the system regardless of the user's intended access level. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under the ATT&CK framework as T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, though more specifically represents a file system manipulation technique. The attacker's ability to delete arbitrary files without proper authorization represents a fundamental breakdown in the software's security model and could lead to complete system compromise if critical system files are removed. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it does not require elevated privileges beyond basic authentication, making it accessible to attackers who have obtained legitimate user credentials through various means including credential theft, social engineering, or weak authentication mechanisms.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend far beyond simple data loss, as successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise and disruption of critical collaboration services. Organizations relying on Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning Software may face significant downtime and service interruption when critical system files are deleted, potentially affecting hundreds or thousands of users who depend on the collaboration infrastructure. The vulnerability's presence in the web interface means that attackers could potentially target not only user data files but also system configuration files, log files, and even executable components that maintain the software's functionality. This type of attack could be particularly devastating in enterprise environments where the collaboration platform serves as a critical communication backbone. The vulnerability's exploitation could also facilitate further attacks by removing security-related files or configuration components that might otherwise prevent additional compromise. Organizations may experience cascading effects where the deletion of a single critical file could cause system instability or require complete system restoration. The attack's ability to target any file on the system creates multiple potential attack paths, including deletion of backup files, system logs, or even components that could prevent the system from functioning properly. This vulnerability represents a significant risk to business continuity and could result in substantial financial losses due to service disruption, data recovery costs, and potential regulatory compliance issues. The vulnerability's persistence in the software until the release of version 12.1 indicates that organizations may have been exposed to this risk for an extended period without proper mitigation.
The recommended mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6635 primarily focus on immediate software upgrades to Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning Software Release 12.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation and access control deficiencies. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the vulnerable system, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the web interface. The implementation of proper input validation measures and enhanced role-based access controls should be prioritized to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other systems. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious HTTP requests and file manipulation activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other software components. Network access controls should be implemented to restrict access to the vulnerable system from untrusted networks and to enforce multi-factor authentication for administrative access. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security testing and code review processes, particularly for web applications that handle file system operations. Organizations should also implement automated backup and recovery procedures to ensure that critical system files can be restored quickly in case of successful exploitation. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-22 and its potential for privilege escalation through directory traversal techniques emphasize the need for comprehensive security controls that address multiple layers of the attack surface. Regular security awareness training for administrators and users should be conducted to prevent credential compromise, which is often the initial vector for exploitation of this type of vulnerability. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional protection against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to track file system access patterns that could indicate unauthorized manipulation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper access control implementation and input validation in web applications, particularly those that interact with file system resources.