CVE-2018-0124 in Unified Communications Domain Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in Cisco Unified Communications Domain Manager could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass security protections, gain elevated privileges, and execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability is due to insecure key generation during application configuration. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by using a known insecure key value to bypass security protections by sending arbitrary requests using the insecure key to a targeted application. An exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code. This vulnerability affects Cisco Unified Communications Domain Manager releases prior to 11.5(2). Cisco Bug IDs: CSCuv67964.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0124 represents a critical security flaw in Cisco Unified Communications Domain Manager that fundamentally compromises the integrity of the system's authentication mechanisms. This weakness stems from insecure key generation practices during the application configuration process, creating a pathway for unauthenticated remote attackers to bypass established security protections. The vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 11.5(2) and demonstrates a significant failure in cryptographic implementation that directly undermines the security posture of affected deployments. The insecure key generation process creates predictable or weak cryptographic elements that can be exploited by malicious actors without requiring valid credentials or prior access to the system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the use of known insecure key values that have been pre-calculated or discovered by attackers. When an attacker sends carefully crafted requests to the targeted application using these insecure keys, they can effectively bypass the normal authentication and authorization mechanisms that should protect the system. This exploitation technique aligns with common attack patterns described in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and defense evasion tactics, where adversaries leverage weak cryptographic implementations to gain unauthorized access. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple authentication bypass to include full system compromise, as successful exploitation allows for arbitrary code execution within the target environment. This capability enables attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges beyond the initial foothold, and potentially move laterally within the network infrastructure.
The operational implications of CVE-2018-0124 are severe for organizations utilizing affected Cisco Unified Communications Domain Manager implementations. The vulnerability creates a backdoor that can be exploited remotely without any prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where communication systems serve as critical infrastructure components. Organizations that fail to patch this vulnerability face significant risk of unauthorized access to their communication networks, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, and compromise of sensitive business communications. The vulnerability's presence in the configuration phase of application deployment means that even systems that appear to be properly secured may be vulnerable if they were deployed using the affected software versions. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the context of CWE-310, which specifically addresses cryptographic weaknesses and insecure key generation practices that can be exploited to undermine security controls.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability through the application of Cisco's official security patches and updates. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to Cisco Unified Communications Domain Manager version 11.5(2) or later, which addresses the insecure key generation issue through improved cryptographic implementation. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any systems that may have been compromised through exploitation of this vulnerability, particularly focusing on network logs and access records for unusual authentication patterns. The remediation process should include verification that all configuration files and cryptographic elements have been properly updated, as the vulnerability specifically targets the configuration phase where key generation occurs. Additional defensive measures may include network segmentation to limit access to affected systems, implementation of intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and enhanced monitoring of authentication and authorization events to detect potential abuse of the vulnerability.