CVE-2019-1722 in Expressway
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the FindMe feature of Cisco Expressway Series and Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Server (VCS) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attack and perform arbitrary actions on an affected system. The vulnerability is due to insufficient CSRF protections for the web-based management interface of the affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user of the interface to follow a maliciously crafted link. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to perform arbitrary actions on an affected system with the privileges of the user. The arbitrary actions include adding an attacker-controlled device and redirecting calls intended for a specific user. For more information about CSRF attacks and potential mitigations, see Understanding Cross-Site Request Forgery Threat Vectors. This vulnerability is fixed in software version X12.5.1 and later.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1722 resides within the FindMe feature of Cisco Expressway Series and Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Server (VCS) products, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the web-based management interfaces. This weakness specifically targets the insufficient cross-site request forgery protections implemented in these communication platforms, creating a pathway for unauthenticated remote attackers to manipulate system operations through deceptive means. The vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF mechanisms within the web interface components, allowing malicious actors to exploit trust relationships between legitimate users and the affected systems. Cisco's VCS and Expressway Series products are widely deployed in enterprise communication environments where secure management interfaces are essential for maintaining network integrity and user privacy.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a classic cross-site request forgery attack vector where an attacker crafts malicious links designed to trigger unintended actions within the targeted system's management interface. When a legitimate user with appropriate privileges clicks on such a crafted link, the browser automatically submits requests to the vulnerable system without the user's knowledge or explicit consent. This process leverages the user's existing authenticated session to perform administrative operations that the attacker intends to execute. The flaw manifests in the lack of anti-CSRF tokens or similar validation mechanisms that would normally verify the authenticity of requests originating from the legitimate management interface rather than from external malicious sources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the web application layer and can be executed without requiring any prior authentication credentials from the attacker, making it accessible to anyone who can influence a user to click a malicious link.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass significant security implications for enterprise communication infrastructures. Successful exploitation enables attackers to perform arbitrary administrative actions with the privileges of the authenticated user, including adding attacker-controlled devices to the communication network and redirecting calls intended for specific users. This capability can lead to unauthorized surveillance, call interception, and disruption of critical communication services within organizations. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where VCS and Expressway Series systems manage sensitive corporate communications, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to communication channels and potentially compromise business continuity. Organizations utilizing these platforms may experience unauthorized device additions that could serve as persistent access points for further exploitation, while call redirection capabilities could facilitate eavesdropping on confidential conversations and disruption of business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-1722 must focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in communication infrastructure. The primary recommended action involves upgrading affected systems to Cisco software version X12.5.1 or later, which includes the necessary anti-CSRF protections and token validation mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of management interfaces to untrusted networks, while establishing monitoring protocols to detect anomalous administrative activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their communication infrastructure to identify other potential CSRF vulnerabilities in related systems, particularly those with web-based management interfaces. The implementation of multi-factor authentication for administrative access and regular security audits of web applications can further strengthen defenses against similar attacks. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery weaknesses in web applications, and represents a clear example of how insufficient input validation and session management can create exploitable conditions in enterprise communication platforms. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions that can detect and block CSRF attack patterns, while maintaining awareness of the ATT&CK framework's tactics related to privilege escalation and persistence through web-based attacks.