CVE-2017-6706 in Prime Collaboration Provisioning
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the logging subsystem of the Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning tool could allow an unauthenticated, local attacker to acquire sensitive information. More Information: CSCvd07260. Known Affected Releases: 12.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6706 resides within the logging subsystem of Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning version 12.1, representing a critical security weakness that exposes sensitive data to unauthorized access. This issue affects the fundamental logging mechanisms that the system employs to record operational events and user activities, creating an avenue for exploitation that bypasses normal authentication requirements. The vulnerability specifically targets the local logging infrastructure, meaning that an attacker must have physical or network access to the system to exploit the flaw, though the lack of authentication requirements significantly reduces the barrier to entry for malicious actors. The Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning tool serves as a centralized management platform for voice and video communication systems, making this vulnerability particularly concerning given the sensitive nature of the data it handles.
The technical flaw manifests through improper access controls within the logging subsystem where sensitive information is written to log files without adequate protection mechanisms. This weakness allows an unauthenticated local attacker to access log files that contain potentially confidential data including user credentials, system configurations, and operational details. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control enforcement within the logging framework, which fails to properly restrict access to sensitive log data. According to the CWE database, this issue aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and CWE-312, which covers exposure of sensitive information through logging mechanisms. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient logging security where the system does not adequately protect sensitive data within its own operational logs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the sensitive data accessible through the compromised logging subsystem could provide attackers with valuable intelligence for further exploitation. Attackers could potentially extract user authentication tokens, system configuration details, or other operational data that could facilitate more sophisticated attacks against the broader network infrastructure. The local nature of the attack means that physical access to the system or network-level access is required, but this requirement is often achievable through social engineering, insider threats, or other initial compromise techniques. Organizations using Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning version 12.1 face significant risk of data breaches and potential system compromise, as the vulnerability could expose critical infrastructure information that attackers could leverage for lateral movement or privilege escalation attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6706 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning system to the latest available version that addresses the logging subsystem vulnerability. Organizations should also implement enhanced access controls for log files, ensuring that sensitive data is properly encrypted and that access to logging directories is restricted to authorized personnel only. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts to system logging directories. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1070.004, which covers "Indicator Removal on Host: File Deletion," as attackers may attempt to cover their tracks by manipulating log files. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their logging infrastructure to ensure that sensitive information is properly protected and that access controls are functioning as intended. Compliance with NIST SP 800-53 security controls, particularly those related to audit logging and access control, should be enforced to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other system components.