CVE-2020-3197 in Meetings App
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the API subsystem of Cisco Meetings App could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to retain and reuse the Traversal Using Relay NAT (TURN) server credentials that are configured in an affected system. The vulnerability is due to insufficient protection mechanisms for the TURN server credentials. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by intercepting the legitimate traffic that is generated by an affected system. An exploit could allow the attacker to obtain the TURN server credentials, which the attacker could use to place audio/video calls and forward packets through the configured TURN server. The attacker would not be able to take control of the TURN server unless the same credentials were used in multiple systems.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-3197 resides within the API subsystem of Cisco Meetings App, representing a significant security weakness that enables unauthenticated remote attackers to compromise TURN server credentials. This flaw specifically targets the Traversal Using Relay NAT (TURN) functionality which is essential for facilitating real-time communication through NAT traversal mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from inadequate protection mechanisms that fail to adequately secure the TURN server credentials, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors without requiring authentication. The attack vector involves intercepting legitimate traffic generated by affected systems, making this a particularly insidious threat as it operates within normal network communication patterns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a critical failure in credential protection mechanisms within the Cisco Meetings App API subsystem. TURN server credentials are typically used to establish relay connections when direct peer-to-peer communication fails due to NAT restrictions, but in this case, the system fails to implement proper cryptographic protection for these credentials during transmission or storage. Attackers can exploit this weakness by capturing network traffic containing the TURN credentials, which are then retained and reused for unauthorized purposes. The vulnerability specifically affects the authentication and authorization controls that should normally prevent unauthorized access to sensitive network configuration parameters, creating a scenario where legitimate network functionality becomes a vector for malicious exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-3197 extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to leverage the compromised TURN server credentials to conduct unauthorized audio and video communications through the affected network infrastructure. This capability allows malicious actors to place calls and forward packets through the configured TURN server, potentially enabling eavesdropping, traffic manipulation, and denial of service attacks against legitimate users. The attack scenario presents a sophisticated threat where the compromised credentials can be used to establish relay connections that bypass normal network security controls, effectively allowing attackers to operate within the network as if they were legitimate users. While the attacker cannot directly control the TURN server itself without credentials being reused across multiple systems, the ability to conduct unauthorized relay operations creates significant operational risks for organizations relying on Cisco Meetings App for their communication infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including network traffic monitoring to detect unusual patterns that may indicate credential interception, enforcement of secure communication protocols for TURN server configuration, and implementation of network segmentation to limit the potential impact of credential compromise. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weakness, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access and T1071 for application layer protocol usage. Security teams should also consider implementing network access controls, regular credential rotation procedures, and enhanced network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation approach should include applying vendor patches when available, reviewing network configurations for unnecessary TURN server exposure, and implementing proper network segmentation to isolate critical communication infrastructure from potential attack vectors.