A new Cisco Unity Connection vulnerability, designated as CVE-2024-20272, has been discovered which poses a significant risk to organizations utilizing Cisco Unity Connection. Read this Cybersecurity Threat Advisory in detail to learn about the vulnerability and how to secure your system.

What is the threat?

A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Unity Connection could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to upload arbitrary files to an affected system and execute commands on the underlying operating system. This could result in a compromise of sensitive information, unauthorized access to critical systems, or even a complete takeover of the affected Cisco Unity Connection system.

Why is it noteworthy?

This vulnerability bypasses authentication in a specific API as well as improper validation of user-supplied data. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by uploading arbitrary files to an affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to store malicious files on the system, execute arbitrary commands on the operating system, and elevate privileges to root.

What is the exposure or risk?

Organizations using Cisco Unity Connection are exposed to the risk of unauthorized access and arbitrary code execution. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can upload malicious files, leading to potential data breaches, system compromise, and disruption of services. The impact includes unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, potential loss of data integrity, and the risk of the attackers gaining full control over the affected Cisco Unity Connection instance.

Furthermore, the ability to execute arbitrary code raises the potential for attackers to move laterally within an organization’s network, expanding the scope and severity of the compromise.

What are the recommendations?

CSB recommends the following security recommendations:

• Apply the patch: Cisco has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Organizations are strongly advised to promptly apply the patches provided by Cisco to mitigate the risk. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.