CVE-2018-0267 in Unified Communications Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web framework of Cisco Unified Communications Manager could allow an authenticated, local attacker to view sensitive data that should be restricted. This could include LDAP credentials. The vulnerability is due to insufficient protection of database tables over the web interface. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by browsing to a specific URL. An exploit could allow the attacker to view sensitive information that should have been restricted. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvf22116.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0267 resides within Cisco Unified Communications Manager's web framework, representing a critical authorization flaw that undermines the system's data protection mechanisms. This weakness enables authenticated local attackers to bypass intended access controls and retrieve sensitive information that should remain restricted. The vulnerability specifically targets the insufficient protection mechanisms applied to database tables accessible through the web interface, creating a pathway for unauthorized data exposure that could compromise the entire communication infrastructure. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and access control implementation within the web application layer, allowing malicious actors with legitimate credentials to exploit structural weaknesses in the system's security architecture.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through direct navigation to specific URLs within the web interface, leveraging the insufficient database table protection mechanisms to access restricted data. Attackers with valid authentication credentials can manipulate web requests to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive information including LDAP credentials, which represent a significant security risk for enterprise communication systems. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear lack of proper data access controls and input sanitization within the web framework, creating an attack surface that allows for unauthorized data retrieval without requiring additional privileges or complex exploitation techniques. This flaw directly relates to CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checks in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as the compromise of LDAP credentials could enable attackers to escalate their privileges within the network and gain access to additional systems. The vulnerability affects Cisco Unified Communications Manager installations where the web interface is accessible to authenticated users, potentially compromising the entire communication infrastructure and exposing sensitive corporate data. Organizations using this platform face significant risk of credential theft, unauthorized access to communication systems, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The local nature of the attack requirement means that attackers must already have legitimate access to the system, but this still represents a critical escalation of privileges that could lead to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0267 should focus on implementing robust access control mechanisms, proper input validation, and regular security updates to address the underlying web framework vulnerabilities. Organizations should immediately apply Cisco's security patches and updates addressing this vulnerability, while also implementing network segmentation to limit access to the web interface and monitoring for suspicious URL access patterns. The implementation of principle of least privilege access controls and regular security audits of web application interfaces can help prevent exploitation of similar authorization flaws. Security teams should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and access logging to detect unauthorized attempts to access restricted tables through web interfaces, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing of web applications should be conducted to identify and remediate similar access control weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors.