CVE-2023-20004 in TelePresence Collaboration Endpoint
Summary
by MITRE • 11/15/2024
Three vulnerabilities in the CLI of Cisco TelePresence CE and RoomOS could allow an authenticated, local attacker to overwrite arbitrary files on the local file system of an affected device.
These vulnerabilities are due to improper access controls on files that are on the local file system. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by placing a symbolic link in a specific location on the local file system of an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to overwrite arbitrary files on the affected device. To exploit these vulnerabilities, an attacker would need to have a remote support user account. Note: CVE-2023-20092 does not affect Cisco DX70, DX80, TelePresence MX Series, or TelePresence SX Series devices. Cisco has released software updates that address these vulnerabilities. There are no workarounds that address these vulnerabilities.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20004 represents a critical local file system privilege escalation issue affecting Cisco TelePresence CE and RoomOS platforms. This flaw manifests through inadequate access controls within the command line interface of affected devices, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to manipulate the underlying file system. The vulnerability specifically targets the local file system permissions and file handling mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to exploit symbolic link manipulation techniques to overwrite arbitrary files on the device. Security researchers have classified this issue as a local privilege escalation vulnerability that could potentially lead to complete system compromise when combined with valid authentication credentials.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2023-20004 requires an attacker to possess a legitimate remote support user account, which provides the initial authentication foothold necessary to execute the attack. This authentication requirement places the vulnerability within the context of credential compromise or insider threat scenarios rather than purely external exploitation. The attack vector leverages symbolic link placement within specific directories on the local file system, where the command line interface fails to properly validate or sanitize file paths before performing write operations. This improper validation creates a classic race condition or path traversal vulnerability that enables attackers to redirect file operations to arbitrary locations on the device's storage system. The flaw aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-73 (Redirecting Code Execution Through Pathname Manipulation) categories, demonstrating how insufficient input validation can lead to unauthorized file system modifications.
From an operational impact perspective, successful exploitation of CVE-2023-20004 could result in complete system compromise and potential denial of service conditions. Attackers could overwrite critical system files, configuration data, or even executable components that would prevent normal device operation and potentially provide persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of Cisco's video conferencing solutions, potentially disrupting business continuity and communication services within enterprise environments. Organizations utilizing these devices face risks of unauthorized data modification, system instability, and potential escalation to broader network compromise. The attack requires only a remote support user account, making it particularly concerning for environments where such accounts are maintained or potentially compromised, as the attack surface remains relatively small but highly impactful.
Cisco has addressed this vulnerability through official software updates that remediate the improper access control mechanisms and file system handling issues. The company's security advisory indicates that no workarounds are available to address these specific vulnerabilities, emphasizing the importance of applying the vendor-provided patches promptly. Organizations should prioritize patch deployment for affected Cisco TelePresence CE and RoomOS devices, particularly those running versions prior to the patched releases. The vulnerability affects specific product lines including TelePresence CE and RoomOS but excludes certain DX and TelePresence series devices as noted in the advisory. Security teams should monitor for potential exploitation attempts and consider implementing additional network monitoring to detect suspicious file system activity or unauthorized symbolic link creation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper access control implementation and the need for regular security assessments of embedded systems and command line interfaces within enterprise communication infrastructure.