CVE-2019-1877 in Enterprise Chat
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the HTTP API of Cisco Enterprise Chat and Email could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to download files attached through chat sessions. The vulnerability is due to insufficient authentication mechanisms on the file download function of the API. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted request to the API. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to download files that other users attach through the chat feature. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 12.0(1)ES1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1877 resides within the HTTP API of Cisco Enterprise Chat and Email, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of file sharing mechanisms within the platform. This weakness stems from inadequate authentication controls specifically targeting the file download functionality, creating an exploitable pathway for unauthorized access to user-generated content. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to 12.0(1)ES1, indicating that organizations running older iterations of the software remain susceptible to this particular threat vector. The implications extend beyond simple data exposure, as the flaw enables attackers to access files that other users have shared through chat sessions, potentially compromising sensitive corporate information, personal data, or intellectual property.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the insufficient authentication mechanisms present in the file download function, allowing an unauthenticated remote attacker to craft malicious requests that bypass normal access controls. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-287, which categorizes improper authentication issues that permit unauthorized access to resources. Attackers can potentially harvest files attached through chat sessions without requiring valid credentials or session tokens, effectively circumventing the intended security boundaries of the application. The vulnerability's remote nature means that exploitation can occur from any location without physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where chat applications handle sensitive communications.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations relying on Cisco Enterprise Chat and Email for business communications. The ability to download user attachments without authentication exposes organizations to potential data breaches, intellectual property theft, and compliance violations. The attack surface expands beyond individual user privacy concerns to encompass corporate security postures, as attackers could potentially access files containing confidential business information, proprietary documents, or personally identifiable information. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity aspects of the CIA triad, as unauthorized access to chat attachments compromises both the protection of sensitive data and the trust users place in the communication platform.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including upgrading to Cisco Enterprise Chat and Email version 12.0(1)ES1 or later, which contains the necessary security patches. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the affected API endpoints, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect anomalous file download patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing additional authentication layers or API gateways that can provide extra protection for sensitive file access functions. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing, as attackers could potentially leverage this weakness to gain access to user data through social engineering or by exploiting the vulnerability in combination with other attack vectors. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure that all instances of the software are properly updated and that no legacy systems remain exposed to this threat.