CVE-2020-3360 in IP Phone 7800
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the Web Access feature of Cisco IP Phones Series 7800 and Series 8800 could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to view sensitive information on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to improper access controls on the web-based management interface of an affected device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending malicious requests to the device, which could allow the attacker to bypass access restrictions. A successful attack could allow the attacker to view sensitive information, including device call logs that contain names, usernames, and phone numbers of users of the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-3360 affects Cisco IP Phones Series 7800 and Series 8800, representing a critical security flaw in the web access functionality of these enterprise communication devices. This weakness resides within the web-based management interface that governs access to the phone's administrative functions and operational data. The vulnerability stems from inadequate access control mechanisms that fail to properly validate authentication requests, creating a pathway for unauthorized users to bypass normal security restrictions. According to CWE-284, this represents an improper access control issue where the system fails to properly enforce authorization policies for accessing sensitive resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves an unauthenticated remote attacker sending specially crafted requests to the affected device's web interface. The flaw allows attackers to circumvent the normal authentication process that should be required to access administrative functions and sensitive data. This weakness specifically impacts the web-based management interface, which typically serves as the primary access point for configuring device settings, monitoring call activity, and managing user accounts. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides access to call logs that contain personally identifiable information including user names, phone numbers, and call details.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are significant for organizations relying on Cisco IP Phones for their communication infrastructure. Attackers who successfully exploit this flaw can gain unauthorized access to detailed call records that may contain sensitive business information, personal data of employees, and potentially confidential conversations. This exposure creates risks for data privacy compliance, particularly under regulations such as gdpr and hipaa that govern the protection of personal information. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the device or network credentials to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these phones may be accessible from unsecured network segments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the relevant Cisco security patches and updates that address the access control flaw. Network segmentation practices should be enforced to limit access to these devices, ensuring that only authorized administrative personnel can reach the web management interfaces. Configuration reviews should verify that unnecessary services are disabled and that access controls are properly configured to restrict access to authorized users only. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol: dns, and demonstrates how improper access controls can enable information gathering activities. Regular security monitoring should be implemented to detect anomalous access patterns to these devices, and network access control policies should be reviewed to ensure that administrative interfaces are not exposed to untrusted networks. Organizations should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious traffic patterns associated with exploitation attempts against web-based management interfaces.