CVE-2018-6635 in Aura
Summary
by MITRE
System Manager in Avaya Aura before 7.1.2 does not properly use SSL in conjunction with authentication, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended Remote Method Invocation (RMI) restrictions, aka SMGR-26896.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6635 affects Avaya Aura System Manager versions prior to 7.1.2, representing a critical security flaw in the authentication and encryption mechanisms of the system management interface. This issue stems from improper implementation of Secure Sockets Layer protocols in conjunction with remote method invocation processes, creating a pathway for unauthorized remote access that undermines the security posture of enterprise communication systems. The vulnerability specifically targets the System Manager component which serves as the central management interface for Avaya Aura environments, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise voice and communication infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests in the insufficient integration between SSL/TLS encryption and authentication mechanisms within the RMI framework of Avaya Aura System Manager. This improper SSL usage allows attackers to exploit weaknesses in the authentication flow, effectively bypassing the intended security controls that should restrict access to remote method invocation endpoints. The vulnerability creates a scenario where an unauthenticated attacker can potentially invoke system management methods remotely, circumventing the normal authentication procedures that should validate user credentials and authorization levels. This misconfiguration results in a privilege escalation scenario where unauthorized access to system management functions becomes possible without proper authentication.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise communication environments that rely on Avaya Aura systems. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to critical system management functions, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, service disruption, and unauthorized modifications to communication configurations. The attack surface extends beyond simple credential theft to include potential lateral movement within network environments where Avaya Aura systems operate, as compromised system managers can provide access to underlying network infrastructure and communication services. Organizations using affected versions face risks of unauthorized voice service manipulation, call routing changes, and potential system outages that could impact business continuity and communication reliability.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in authentication systems, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts usage and T1046 for network service scanning. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Avaya Aura System Manager version 7.1.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the SSL implementation issues. Additional security measures should include network segmentation to limit access to System Manager interfaces, implementing additional authentication layers, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining exposures, while incident response procedures should be updated to address potential exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation process should also include verification of proper SSL certificate configurations and authentication mechanisms to ensure that similar issues do not persist in other system components.