CVE-2018-18568 in VVX 500
Summary
by MITRE
Polycom VVX 500 and 601 devices 5.8.0.12848 and earlier allows man-in-the-middle attackers to obtain sensitive credential information by leveraging failure to validate X.509 certificates when used with an on-premise installation with Skype for Business.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18568 affects Polycom VVX 500 and 601 video conferencing devices running firmware versions 5.8.0.12848 and earlier. This issue represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of communication channels when these devices are deployed in on-premise environments integrated with Microsoft Skype for Business. The vulnerability stems from insufficient certificate validation mechanisms that leave the devices susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks, potentially compromising sensitive authentication credentials during network communications.
The technical flaw manifests in the device's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during secure communication establishment with Skype for Business servers. This weakness creates an attack vector where malicious actors positioned between the Polycom device and the Skype for Business infrastructure can intercept and manipulate communication traffic without detection. The vulnerability specifically impacts devices operating in on-premise deployments where certificate validation should be rigorously enforced to maintain secure communication channels. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in certificate validation procedures that falls under CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access to corporate communication systems. Successful exploitation could allow adversaries to monitor, modify, or redirect communication traffic between the Polycom devices and Skype for Business servers, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of video conferencing sessions. This threat is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where sensitive business communications occur regularly, as the attack could remain undetected while credentials are harvested. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which describes social engineering tactics that can be leveraged to gain initial access to network resources.
Organizations utilizing affected Polycom devices should immediately implement mitigations including firmware updates to versions that address the certificate validation weakness. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring measures to detect anomalous certificate behavior or unexpected communication patterns. The remediation process requires careful planning to ensure that certificate validation is properly enforced without disrupting legitimate communication channels. Security teams should conduct comprehensive assessments of their Skype for Business environments to identify all affected devices and implement proper certificate management protocols that align with industry best practices for secure communications.