CVE-2019-1679 in TelePresence Conductor
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web interface of Cisco TelePresence Conductor, Cisco Expressway Series, and Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Server (VCS) Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to trigger an HTTP request from an affected server to an arbitrary host. This type of attack is commonly referred to as server-side request forgery (SSRF). The vulnerability is due to insufficient access controls for the REST API of Cisco Expressway Series and Cisco TelePresence VCS. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by submitting a crafted HTTP request to the affected server. Versions prior to XC4.3.4 are affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1679 represents a critical server-side request forgery flaw within Cisco's telepresence and video communication infrastructure products. This vulnerability specifically targets the web interface components of Cisco TelePresence Conductor, Cisco Expressway Series, and Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Server software implementations. The flaw stems from inadequate access controls governing the REST API interfaces of these systems, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying server behavior through crafted HTTP requests. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to XC4.3.4, indicating that Cisco had already identified and addressed this weakness in their subsequent releases, though the timeframe for patch deployment remains critical for organizations maintaining older systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific manipulation of the REST API endpoints that control the communication server's interaction with external systems. An authenticated attacker with valid credentials can craft malicious HTTP requests that cause the affected server to initiate outbound connections to arbitrary hosts specified by the attacker. This behavior fundamentally violates the expected security boundaries of the system, as it allows the server to make unauthorized network requests to destinations that should remain protected from internal server communication. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the HTTP protocol handling mechanisms within the Cisco telepresence software stack, making it particularly dangerous for environments where these systems serve as network gateways or communication hubs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exfiltration or service disruption, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform reconnaissance activities against internal network segments that would normally be isolated from external access. This type of attack can enable lateral movement within network environments, potentially allowing threat actors to map internal infrastructure, identify vulnerable internal services, or even establish command and control channels through the compromised server. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-918, which describes server-side request forgery vulnerabilities where applications fail to properly validate or restrict external resource requests. From an attack perspective, this flaw fits squarely within the ATT&CK framework under the T1071.004 technique for application layer protocol usage, specifically targeting HTTP communications to achieve unauthorized access patterns.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigation strategies focusing on both access control hardening and network segmentation measures. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to Cisco XC4.3.4 or later versions, which contain the necessary patches to address the insufficient access controls. Network administrators should also consider implementing strict firewall rules that limit outbound connections from the affected servers, particularly restricting access to sensitive internal network segments. Additionally, monitoring for unusual outbound HTTP requests originating from these systems can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper API access control implementation and highlights how even authenticated access can be weaponized when proper validation mechanisms are absent. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of their telepresence and video communication infrastructure to identify any other systems running vulnerable versions of the software.