A vulnerability in Cisco Webex Teams could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to manipulate file names within the messaging interface. The vulnerability exists because the affected software mishandles character rendering. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sharing a file within the application interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to modify how the shared file name displays within the interface, which could allow the attacker to conduct phishing or spoofing attacks.
The severity of this vulnerability is classified as medium with a CVSS score of 4.3. This score indicates that while the attack complexity is low, user interaction is required, making it crucial for organizations to be aware of potential risks. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.
CVE-2021-1242 was published on January 13, 2021, and has since been marked as modified. The risk to organizations includes the potential for attackers to manipulate file names, leading to successful phishing or spoofing attempts, which could have serious implications for data security.
As of now, there are no public exploits confirmed for this vulnerability, but organizations should remain vigilant and consider proactive measures to enhance their security posture.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is caused by improper handling of character rendering in Cisco Webex Teams, allowing attackers to manipulate file names. It is classified under CWE-450, which refers to "Uncontrolled Character Injection." The CVSS vector string for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N.
The affected product is Cisco Webex Teams, with all versions prior to 40.12.0.17293 being vulnerable. The impact of this vulnerability includes low integrity impact, while confidentiality and availability impacts are assessed as none.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is the mishandling of character rendering in the messaging interface of Cisco Webex Teams. The attack vector is classified as network-based, meaning that an attacker can exploit it remotely without physical access to the system. The attack complexity is low, requiring no privileges, but it does necessitate user interaction, as the attacker must share a file within the application.
The vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or availability, but it does pose a low impact on integrity, allowing the attacker to change how file names are displayed, which could mislead users.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The deployment risk associated with CVE-2021-1242 is significant, as it could lead to successful phishing or spoofing attacks. The urgency for organizations to address this vulnerability is classified as high, given the potential for attackers to manipulate user experiences and compromise sensitive information.
Organizations should assess the potential blast radius of this vulnerability, particularly in environments where Cisco Webex Teams is heavily utilized. This vulnerability could impact a large number of users, increasing the urgency for remediation.
Given the CVSS score and the nature of the vulnerability, organizations should prioritize addressing it in their patch management cycle.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects Cisco Webex Teams versions prior to 40.12.0.17293. Organizations should ensure they are running the latest version to mitigate this risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
Cisco has released a patch to address this vulnerability. Organizations should upgrade to version 40.12.0.17293 or later. If immediate patching is not possible, organizations should consider implementing network controls to limit exposure and educating users on recognizing potential phishing attempts. For further details, security teams may want to refer to resources on penetration testing for validating their security posture.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor for unusual file sharing activities within the messaging interface of Cisco Webex Teams. Log indicators of file name manipulations and user interactions that appear suspicious. Additionally, behavioral anomalies related to user interactions within the application should be documented.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-1242 lies in its potential to enable attackers to mislead users, leading to phishing attacks. This vulnerability represents a trend of increasing sophistication in the exploitation of communication platforms. Security teams should learn to recognize patterns of such vulnerabilities to bolster defenses. Strategic defensive takeaways include adopting comprehensive security assessments, such as vulnerability management programs, to ensure all potential risks are identified and mitigated effectively.
Furthermore, organizations should consider proactive measures, including penetration testing methodologies, to evaluate their defenses against similar vulnerabilities.
Finally, organizations should review their security training programs to ensure users are aware of the risks associated with file sharing and the importance of verifying file authenticity.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)