CVE-2018-0359 in Meeting Server
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the session identification management functionality of the web-based management interface for Cisco Meeting Server could allow an unauthenticated, local attacker to hijack a valid user session identifier, aka Session Fixation. The vulnerability exists because the affected application does not assign a new session identifier to a user session when a user authenticates to the application. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by using a hijacked session identifier to connect to the application through the web-based management interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to hijack an authenticated user's browser session. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvi23787.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-0359 represents a critical session fixation flaw within Cisco Meeting Server's web-based management interface. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-384 category of Session Fixation, which is classified as a serious weakness in web application security. The flaw specifically affects the session identification management functionality, creating an exploitable condition where an attacker can maintain persistent access to user sessions without proper authentication. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly regenerate session identifiers upon user authentication, a fundamental security practice that should be implemented to prevent session hijacking attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to exploit the session management system by leveraging a pre-existing session identifier that has not been properly invalidated or regenerated after authentication. When a user authenticates to the Cisco Meeting Server web interface, the system fails to assign a new, unique session identifier to replace the existing one. This creates a scenario where an attacker who has obtained a valid session identifier can maintain access to the application even after legitimate users have authenticated. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web-based management interface, which is a critical component for administrative access to the meeting server functionality.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables persistent unauthorized access to the Cisco Meeting Server administrative interface. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can hijack authenticated user sessions and maintain control over the administrative functions of the meeting server. This could lead to unauthorized configuration changes, access to sensitive meeting data, and potential disruption of business continuity services. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system, as attackers can perform administrative actions without proper authentication. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it does not require authentication, making it accessible to any local attacker with network access to the system.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper session management practices that align with industry standards and best practices. The primary remediation involves ensuring that the application properly regenerates session identifiers upon successful user authentication, preventing session fixation attacks. Organizations should implement session management controls that invalidate old session identifiers and generate new ones during the authentication process. This aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1548.001 for Privilege Escalation through session management weaknesses. Additionally, implementing proper session timeout mechanisms and monitoring for unusual session activity can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The fix should be applied through official Cisco security patches, as referenced in the CSCvi23787 bug ID, which addresses the core session management flaw in the web interface implementation.