CVE-2024-20420 in ATA
Summary
by MITRE • 10/16/2024
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco ATA 190 Series Analog Telephone Adapter firmware could allow an authenticated, remote attacker with low privileges to run commands as an Admin user.
This vulnerability is due to incorrect authorization verification by the HTTP server. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a malicious request to the web-based management interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to run commands as the Admin user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-20420 represents a critical authorization flaw within the web-based management interface of Cisco ATA 190 Series Analog Telephone Adapters. This issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the HTTP server component that processes administrative requests. The flaw exists in the firmware implementation where the system fails to properly verify user privileges before executing administrative commands, creating a path for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated attacker who already possesses valid credentials with low privilege levels. This attacker can leverage the improper authorization checks by crafting and sending malicious HTTP requests to the device's web interface. The vulnerability specifically affects the HTTP server's ability to validate whether incoming requests originate from authorized administrative users, allowing unauthorized commands to be executed with elevated privileges. This represents a classic authorization bypass vulnerability that falls under CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in software systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with administrative control over the affected analog telephone adapters. This administrative access could enable attackers to modify device configurations, intercept or redirect phone calls, access sensitive communication data, or potentially use the device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only low privilege credentials, making it accessible to attackers who may have gained initial access through other means such as credential theft or phishing attacks.
Organizations deploying Cisco ATA 190 Series devices should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from Cisco to address the authorization flaw, network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical systems, and monitoring of web interface access logs for suspicious activity. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through legitimate credentials. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication and reducing the attack surface by disabling unnecessary web management interfaces can significantly reduce the risk exposure. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar authorization issues in other networked devices within the organization's infrastructure.