Cisco Security Advisory

Advisory ID: cisco-sa-20101206-cuvc

http://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20101206-cuvc

Revision 1.1

For Public Release 2010 November 17 15:00  UTC (GMT)

Summary

This is the Cisco Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) security advisory related to a posting entitled "Cisco Unified Videoconferencing multiple vulnerabilities" by Florent Daigniere of Matta Consulting regarding vulnerabilities in the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing (Cisco UVC) 5100 series products. Several of the vulnerabilities also impact Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 5200 and 3500 Series Products.

Cisco has released free software updates that address these vulnerabilities.

Workarounds that mitigate some of these vulnerabilities are available.

This advisory is posted at http://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20101206-cuvc.

Affected Products

The following vulnerabilities have been reported against the Cisco UVC devices:

• Hard-Coded Credentials in Cisco UVC Products
  
  The Linux shadow password file contains three hard-coded usernames and passwords. The passwords cannot be changed, and the accounts cannot be deleted. Attackers could leverage these accounts to obtain remote access to a device by using permitted remote access protocols.
  
  This vulnerability only affects Linux-based operating system Cisco UVC products.
  
  This vulnerability is documented in Cisco bug ID CSCti54008 ( registered customers only) and has been assigned CVE ID CVE-2010-3038.
  
  
• Remote Command Injection on the Web Interface in Cisco UVC Products
  
  Several fields in the web server interface of Cisco UVC products are vulnerable to a shell command injection vulnerability. An administrator user who is authenticated to the web interface of Cisco UVC products could exploit this vulnerability to execute root-level commands on the Linux operating system. Exploitation of this vulnerability could result in a complete compromise of the device.
  
  This vulnerability affects Linux-based operating system Cisco UVC products. It may also affect VxWorks-based Cisco UVC products.
  
  This vulnerability is documented in Cisco bug ID CSCti54059 ( registered customers only) and has been assigned CVE ID CVE-2010-3037.
  
  

The following security vulnerabilities which were reported against the Cisco UVC devices, have been classified as security best practices or service misconfiguration issues and as such have not been assigned CVE identifiers.

• Weak Obfuscation of Credentials in Cisco UVC Products
  
  An attacker who can obtain access to the Linux operating system could retrieve a file that is used to store the administrator and operator accounts of the Cisco UVC web GUI. The passwords in this file are obfuscated using an easily reversible hashing scheme. Exploit code that assists in recovering the passwords exists.
  
  This vulnerability affects only Linux-based operating system Cisco UVC products.
  
  This issue is documented in Cisco bug ID CSCti54010 ( registered customers only) .
  
  
• FTP Server Accessible by Default in Cisco UVC Products
  
  The FTP server is enabled by default on Cisco UVC systems. An attacker can leverage the FTP server to exploit other vulnerabilities in this Cisco Security Response. Authentication is required to log into the device via the FTP server.
  
  FTP access to the device can be controlled via the "Security mode" field of the Cisco UVC product's web GUI. If the Security setting is configured as "High" or "Maximum," the device will not accept FTP connections. For further information, consult the Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 5000 MCU Release 7.0 at the following link: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/video/cuvc/7_0/configuration_guide/setup.html#wp1690479
  
  This service misconfiguration affects both Linux-based operating system Cisco UVC products and VxWorks-based Cisco UVC products.
  
  This issue is documented in Cisco bug ID CSCti72032 ( registered customers only) .
  
  
• Shadow Password File has Read Permissions for All Users in Cisco UVC Products
  
  The shadow password file should only be readable by the root account. Allowing read access to the shadow password file allows other users of the system with shell access to retrieve the shadow password file. An authenticated user who has access to the Linux operating system directories, may be able to retrieve the shadow password file.
  
  This service misconfiguration only affects Linux-based operating system Cisco UVC products.
  
  This issue is documented in Cisco bug ID CSCti54043 ( registered customers only) .
  
  
• Lock Down OpenSSH Configuration in Cisco UVC Products
  
  The SSH server has a restricted shell, however the configuration of the SSH server allows for X.11 forwarding and socks proxies to be created.
  
  This service misconfiguration affects only Linux-based operating system Cisco UVC products.
  
  This issue is documented in Cisco bug ID CSCti54045 ( registered customers only) .
  
  
• Daemon That Binds the Port of the Web Interface Runs as root in Cisco UVC Products
  
  If attackers exploit a flaw in a script that runs with root permissions, the attacker could gain write access to files, access the system, or cause a denial of service.
  
  This service misconfiguration affects only Linux-based operating system Cisco UVC products.
  
  This issue is documented in Cisco bug ID CSCti54047 ( registered customers only) .
  
  
• Weak Session IDs on the Web Interface in Cisco UVC Products
  
  The Cisco UVC web interface has session IDs that are incremented based on a time counter. Having predictable session IDs, assists in the hijacking of user sessions.
  
  This vulnerability affects both Linux-based operating system Cisco UVC products and VxWorks-based Cisco UVC products.
  
  This issue is documented in Cisco bug ID CSCti54048 ( registered customers only) .
  
  
• Usage of Cookies to Store Credentials in Cisco UVC Products
  
  On Linux-based Cisco UVC products, web interface credentials are stored in Base64 format in the cookie that is sent to a browser. On VxWorks-based Cisco UVC products, web interface credentials are stored in Base64 format or in clear text.
  
  This vulnerability affects both Linux-based operating system Cisco UVC products and VxWorks-based Cisco UVC products.
  
  This issue is documented in Cisco bug ID CSCti54052 ( registered customers only) .
  
  

Cisco has provided scores for the vulnerabilities with assigned CVEs in this advisory based on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS). The CVSS scoring in this security advisory is done in accordance with CVSS version 2.0.

CVSS is a standards-based scoring method that conveys vulnerability severity and helps determine urgency and priority of response.

Cisco has provided a base and temporal score. Customers can then compute environmental scores to assist in determining the impact of the vulnerability in individual networks.

Cisco has provided an FAQ to answer additional questions regarding CVSS at

http://www.cisco.com/web/about/security/intelligence/cvss-qandas.html .

Cisco has also provided a CVSS calculator to help compute the environmental impact for individual networks at

http://intellishield.cisco.com/security/alertmanager/cvss .

Successful exploitation of the vulnerabilities may result in a complete compromise of the affected device.

When considering software upgrades, also consult http://www.cisco.com/go/psirt and any subsequent advisories to determine exposure and a complete upgrade solution.

In all cases, customers should exercise caution to be certain the devices to be upgraded contain sufficient memory and that current hardware and software configurations will continue to be supported properly by the new release. If the information is not clear, contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) or your contracted maintenance provider for assistance.

All Cisco UVC software versions prior to the first fixed software release, which is indicated in the following table, are affected by the associated vulnerabilities.

Note: Once a fixed version of software has been installed on the affected device to active the above fixes the following configuration steps must be undertaken (This process is network disruptive and the device will reload during activation of the advanced security parameters):

Log into the device after upgrading the software and enter the "Advanced Parameters" configuration section of the web GUI. In the "CLI" section of the page enter in the "command" field strongsecuritymode and in the "Parameter" field Enable . The "Value" field remains empty. Click the execute button on the screen. The device will now reload and reconfigure based on the advanced security settings. Once the device reloads, access the device via HTTPS rather than HTTP.

Currently fixed software can be obtained by contacting your maintenance provider. This section will be updated with the links on Cisco.com to download the system software once the software is published to Cisco.com.

Administrators can mitigate these vulnerabilities by limiting access to Cisco UVC web server to only trusted hosts. This could be achieved by infrastructure access control lists (iACL) on routers or switches that the Cisco UVC is connected to.

To disable FTP, SSH, and Telnet services, change the configuration setting "Security mode" field in the "Security" section of the Cisco UVC web GUI to "Maximum." For further information, consult the Configuration Guide for Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 5000 MCU Release 7.0 at the following link: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/video/cuvc/7_0/configuration_guide/setup.html#wp1690479

Cisco has released free software updates that address these vulnerabilities. Prior to deploying software, customers should consult their maintenance provider or check the software for feature set compatibility and known issues specific to their environment.

Customers may only install and expect support for the feature sets they have purchased. By installing, downloading, accessing or otherwise using such software upgrades, customers agree to be bound by the terms of Cisco's software license terms found at http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/general/warranty/English/EU1KEN_.html , or as otherwise set forth at Cisco.com Downloads at http://www.cisco.com/public/sw-center/sw-usingswc.shtml .

Do not contact psirt@cisco.com or security-alert@cisco.com for software upgrades.

Customers with Service Contracts

Customers Using Third-Party Support Organizations

Customers Without Service Contracts

The Cisco PSIRT is not aware of any malicious use of the vulnerabilities described in this advisory.

The original report of these vulnerabilities is available at the following links: http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2010/Nov/167 and http://www.trustmatta.com/advisories/MATTA-2010-001.txt

This vulnerability was reported to Cisco by Florent Daigniere of Matta Consulting.

THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS AND DOES NOT IMPLY ANY KIND OF GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE. YOUR USE OF THE INFORMATION ON THE DOCUMENT OR MATERIALS LINKED FROM THE DOCUMENT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. CISCO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR UPDATE THIS DOCUMENT AT ANY TIME.

A stand-alone copy or Paraphrase of the text of this document that omits the distribution URL in the following section is an uncontrolled copy, and may lack important information or contain factual errors.

This advisory is posted on Cisco's worldwide website at :

http://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20101206-cuvc

In addition to worldwide web posting, a text version of this notice is clear-signed with the Cisco PSIRT PGP key and is posted to the following e-mail and Usenet news recipients.

• cust-security-announce@cisco.com
  
• first-bulletins@lists.first.org
  
• bugtraq@securityfocus.com
  
• vulnwatch@vulnwatch.org
  
• cisco@spot.colorado.edu
  
• cisco-nsp@puck.nether.net
  
• full-disclosure@lists.grok.org.uk
  
• comp.dcom.sys.cisco@newsgate.cisco.com
  

Future updates of this advisory, if any, will be placed on Cisco's worldwide website, but may or may not be actively announced on mailing lists or newsgroups. Users concerned about this problem are encouraged to check the above URL for any updates.

Complete information on reporting security vulnerabilities in Cisco products, obtaining assistance with security incidents, and registering to receive security information from Cisco, is available on Cisco's worldwide website at http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/products_security_vulnerability_policy.html. This includes instructions for press inquiries regarding Cisco security notices. All Cisco security advisories are available at http://www.cisco.com/go/psirt.