CVE-2018-0105 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web framework of Cisco Unified Communications Manager could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to view sensitive data. The vulnerability is due to insufficient protection of database tables. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by browsing to a specific URL. An exploit could allow the attacker to view data library information. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvf20269.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0105 resides within Cisco Unified Communications Manager's web framework, representing a critical security flaw that exposes sensitive data to unauthenticated remote attackers. This weakness stems from inadequate protection mechanisms surrounding database tables, creating an exploitable pathway that bypasses normal authentication requirements. The vulnerability specifically affects the web interface components of the unified communications platform, which serves as a central management point for voice and collaboration services. Attackers can leverage this flaw by simply navigating to a predetermined URL, eliminating the need for sophisticated attack vectors or prior access credentials. The exposure occurs through the web framework's insufficient validation and access control measures, allowing unauthorized users to traverse database structures and retrieve information that should remain protected within the system's internal data repositories. This issue directly impacts organizations relying on Cisco's unified communications infrastructure for their business operations, potentially exposing critical telephony and collaboration data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic insufficient authorization flaw that aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization within software systems. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the web interface components that handle database interactions and data retrieval operations. When an attacker accesses the designated URL, the web framework fails to properly validate the request context and user permissions, allowing the system to return database table information without requiring authentication. This represents a breakdown in the principle of least privilege, where the system grants access to sensitive data structures that should only be available to authorized administrative users. The flaw exploits the web framework's inadequate input sanitization and access control enforcement mechanisms, enabling data enumeration and information disclosure attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with basic web browsing capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0105 extends beyond simple data exposure, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of entire unified communications environments. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, especially in industries governed by standards such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, or SOX, where unauthorized access to communication data constitutes serious security breaches. The vulnerability could expose phone directories, user credentials, call logs, and other sensitive telephony data that could be used for social engineering attacks, fraud, or further system compromise. Attackers might utilize the disclosed information to map network topology, identify active users, or plan more sophisticated attacks against the organization's communication infrastructure. The exposure of data library information could also provide attackers with insights into the system's internal structure and data organization, facilitating more advanced exploitation techniques. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprises that rely heavily on voice and video communication systems, where the compromise of communication data can significantly impact business continuity and operational security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0105 should focus on implementing comprehensive access controls and web application security measures to prevent unauthorized data access. Organizations should immediately apply the relevant Cisco security patches and updates that address the insufficient database table protection mechanisms. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the affected web framework components, limiting exposure to trusted network segments only. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor and block suspicious URL access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar authorization flaws within the unified communications infrastructure. Additionally, organizations should establish robust monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts to database resources and implement proper logging mechanisms to track all data access activities. Security teams should also consider implementing role-based access controls and principle of least privilege configurations to minimize the potential impact of similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the applied patches do not disrupt existing communication services while effectively addressing the authorization bypass vulnerability. Organizations should also review and update their incident response procedures to handle potential data exposure events resulting from this vulnerability.