CVE-2018-0358 in TelePresence Video Communication Server
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the file descriptor handling of Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Server (VCS) Expressway could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability is due to exhaustion of file descriptors while processing a high volume of traffic. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by establishing a high number of concurrent TCP connections to the vulnerable system. An exploit could allow the attacker to cause a restart in a specific process, resulting in a temporary interruption of service. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvh77056, CSCvh77058, CSCvh95264.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0358 affects Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Server (VCS) Expressway systems, presenting a significant security risk through its potential to cause denial of service conditions. This weakness specifically targets the file descriptor management mechanisms within the VCS Expressway software, which serves as a critical component in video communication infrastructure for enterprise environments. The vulnerability stems from inadequate handling of file descriptors during high-volume network traffic processing, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers without authentication requirements.
The technical flaw manifests through the exhaustion of file descriptors when the system processes an elevated volume of concurrent TCP connections. File descriptors represent system resources that applications use to manage file and network connections, and their depletion directly impacts system functionality. In this case, the vulnerability occurs when attackers establish a large number of simultaneous TCP connections to the targeted VCS Expressway device, causing the system to consume all available file descriptors. This resource exhaustion leads to the specific process restart mentioned in the Cisco bug IDs CSCvh77056, CSCvh77058, and CSCvh95264, which results in temporary service interruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can compromise the reliability and availability of critical video communication infrastructure within enterprise networks. Organizations relying on VCS Expressway for video conferencing, collaboration, and remote communication may experience temporary interruptions that affect business continuity and productivity. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target these systems from outside the network perimeter without requiring valid credentials, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed VCS Expressway devices. The DoS condition created by this vulnerability can be sustained for extended periods, potentially causing cascading effects throughout the communication infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0358 should prioritize immediate implementation of Cisco's security patches and updates, which address the underlying file descriptor handling issues in the VCS Expressway software. Network administrators should also implement connection rate limiting and monitoring mechanisms to detect and prevent abnormal connection patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which addresses "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption," and represents a classic example of resource exhaustion attacks that fall under ATT&CK technique T1499.2 for "Endpoint Denial of Service." Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit exposure of VCS Expressway devices and establish robust monitoring protocols to detect anomalous traffic patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to ensure proper configuration and prevent similar resource exhaustion vulnerabilities from affecting other network components.