Cisco Unified Presence and Jabber Extensible Communications Platform contain a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service condition. Updates are available.
Description
Cisco Unified Presence and Jabber Extensible Communications Platform (Jabber XCP) contain a vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on a targeted device.
The
vulnerability is due to incorrect handling of Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) stream headers. An
attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted
XMPP stream header. An exploit could cause the Connection Manager
processes to crash, resulting in dropped connections for existing
clients and preventing new client connections. The Connection Manager
processes will restart automatically. However, repeated exploitation
could create a sustained DoS condition.
Cisco has confirmed the vulnerability and released updated software.
Warning Indicators
The following Cisco products are affected:
Cisco Unified Presence versions prior to 8.6(3)
Cisco Jabber XCP software versions prior to 5.3
IntelliShield Analysis
To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker may require access to trusted, internal networks. This access limitation could limit the likelihood of a successful exploit.
Cisco indicates through the CVSS score that proof-of-concept exploit code exists; however, the code is not known to be publicly available.
More information about XMPP stream headers is available in RFC 6120.
An
unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by
sending a crafted XMPP stream header to an affected server. Successful exploitation of
this vulnerability could cause the Connection Manager process to crash.
Repeated exploitation could result in a sustained DoS condition.
Technical Information
XMPP clients initiate communication with an XMPP server by sending a stream header using IP version 4 (IPv4) or IP version 6 (IPv6). The vulnerability is due to the incorrect handling of XMPP stream headers by the affected system.
An unauthenticated, remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted XMPP stream header to an affected system. When the affected software processes the malicious stream header, the attacker could cause the Connection Manager processes to terminate abnormally, resulting in dropped connections for existing clients and preventing new clients from connecting. The Connection Manager processes will restart automatically; however, repeated exploitation could create a sustained DoS condition.
Safeguards
Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate updates.
Administrators are advised to allow only trusted users to have network access.
Administrators are advised to implement an intrusion prevention system (IPS) or intrusion detection system (IDS) to help detect and prevent attacks that attempt to exploit this vulnerability.
Administrators are advised to monitor affected systems.
Cisco customers with active contracts can obtain updates through the Software Center at the following link: Cisco. Cisco customers without contracts can obtain upgrades by contacting the Cisco Technical Assistance Center at 1-800-553-2447 or 1-408-526-7209 or via e-mail at tac@cisco.com.
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LEGAL DISCLAIMER The urgency and severity ratings of this alert are not tailored to individual users; users may value alerts differently based upon their network configurations and circumstances. THE ALERT, AND INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN, ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS AND DO NOT IMPLY ANY KIND OF GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE. YOUR USE OF THE ALERT, AND INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN, OR MATERIALS LINKED FROM THE ALERT, IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. INFORMATION IN THIS ALERT AND ANY RELATED COMMUNICATIONS IS BASED ON OUR KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. CISCO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR UPDATE ALERTS AT ANY TIME.
