CVE-2018-0198 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. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to view data library information. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvh66592.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0198 resides within the web framework of Cisco Unified Communications Manager, a critical component in enterprise communication infrastructure. This flaw represents a significant security weakness that undermines the integrity of sensitive data protection mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from inadequate safeguards surrounding database tables, creating an exploitable condition that affects the overall security posture of affected systems. Organizations relying on Cisco Unified Communications Manager for their communication needs face substantial risk from this vulnerability, particularly given its remote exploitability without authentication requirements.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through insufficient database table protection mechanisms that fail to properly enforce access controls. Attackers can leverage this weakness by navigating to a specific malicious URL that triggers the vulnerability within the web framework. This exploitation technique bypasses normal authentication procedures and directly accesses database table structures that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The vulnerability specifically targets the data library information, which likely contains sensitive communication metadata, user credentials, or system configuration details that could be leveraged for further attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, creating potential pathways for more sophisticated attacks within the network infrastructure. An unauthenticated remote attacker gains access to data library information that could include communication patterns, user directories, or system configurations that provide valuable intelligence for subsequent exploitation phases. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in information security. The attack vector demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1083, where adversaries seek to gather information about the system's data resources.
Organizations affected by CVE-2018-0198 must implement immediate mitigations to protect their communication infrastructure from potential exploitation. Cisco has addressed this issue through the CSCvh66592 bug ID, indicating a vendor-provided fix that should be deployed as a priority. The recommended approach involves applying the appropriate security patches and updates to the Cisco Unified Communications Manager software. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure that similar protection gaps do not exist in other components of the communication infrastructure. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining robust database access controls and proper web application security practices in enterprise environments.