CVE-2017-6784 in WebEx Meetings Server
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web interface of the Cisco RV340, RV345, and RV345P Dual WAN Gigabit VPN Routers could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to access sensitive data. The attacker could use this information to conduct additional reconnaissance attacks. The vulnerability is due to Cisco WebEx Meetings not sufficiently protecting sensitive data when responding to an HTTP request to the web interface. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by attempting to use the HTTP protocol and looking at the data in the HTTP responses from the Cisco WebEx Meetings Server. An exploit could allow the attacker to find sensitive information about the application. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCve37988. Known Affected Releases: firmware 1.0.0.30, 1.0.0.33, 1.0.1.9, 1.0.1.16.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6784 affects Cisco RV340, RV345, and RV345P Dual WAN Gigabit VPN Routers, representing a critical security flaw in the web interface design that enables unauthenticated remote attackers to access sensitive data. This vulnerability stems from inadequate protection mechanisms within the Cisco WebEx Meetings implementation, specifically when processing HTTP requests to the web interface. The flaw manifests when the system fails to properly sanitize or protect sensitive information contained within HTTP responses, creating an information disclosure vulnerability that can be exploited without requiring authentication credentials. The affected firmware versions 1.0.0.30, 1.0.0.33, 1.0.1.9, and 1.0.1.16 all exhibit this weakness, indicating a widespread issue across multiple router models and firmware releases.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves an attacker crafting specific HTTP requests to the affected web interface and analyzing the responses to extract sensitive information about the underlying Cisco WebEx Meetings application. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under CWE-200, which describes improper handling of sensitive information, and specifically relates to CWE-540, which addresses the inclusion of sensitive information in error messages or responses. The vulnerability enables attackers to gather detailed information about the application's internal structure, configuration, and potentially even system architecture, which can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. The HTTP protocol-based exploitation technique aligns with ATT&CK tactics such as T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1592 (Gather Victim Host Information), as attackers can systematically probe for sensitive data through routine web interface interactions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the sensitive data obtained can be leveraged to conduct additional reconnaissance activities and potentially enable more advanced attack vectors. Attackers can use the gathered information to understand the router's configuration, identify potential weaknesses in the WebEx Meetings implementation, and plan subsequent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations relying on these routers for network security, as it provides attackers with valuable intelligence without requiring any authentication or privileged access. The exposure of sensitive application information creates opportunities for attackers to perform targeted attacks against the WebEx Meetings system, potentially leading to full system compromise or unauthorized access to network resources. Organizations using affected firmware versions face elevated risk of successful exploitation, particularly in environments where these routers serve as network gateways or security appliances.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6784 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Cisco to address the identified vulnerability, as the company has documented this issue under Cisco Bug ID CSCve37988. Network administrators should also implement additional security controls such as restricting access to the web interface through firewall rules, implementing network segmentation to isolate affected routers, and monitoring for suspicious HTTP traffic patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output sanitization in web applications, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected systems and implement comprehensive monitoring to detect exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and patch management processes should be strengthened to prevent similar issues in the future, particularly focusing on the secure handling of sensitive information in web interface responses and ensuring that all network devices are running supported firmware versions.