A recently discovered vulnerability, CVE-2022-20931, in the version control of Cisco TelePresence CE Software for Cisco Touch 10 Devices has the potential to allow an unauthenticated attacker, who is in physical proximity, to install an older version of the software on the affected device. This could provide attackers with the opportunity to exploit known vulnerabilities in previous software versions, potentially compromising device security and leading to unauthorized access.

This article aims at providing an in-depth look at the CVE-2022-20931 vulnerability, including code snippets, links to original references, and details about potential exploits. Instructions for remediation will also be provided.

Vulnerability Details

The CVE-2022-20931 vulnerability exists due to insufficient version control in the Cisco TelePresence CE Software for Cisco Touch 10 Devices. An attacker can simply install an older version of the software on an affected device, effectively downgrading the software, and subsequently, exploiting vulnerabilities in the older version.

For example, consider the following code snippet that depicts insufficient version control checking when updating the Cisco TelePresence CE Software:

if (newVersion.major <= oldVersion.major &&
    newVersion.minor <= oldVersion.minor &&
    newVersion.patch <= oldVersion.patch) {
      allowDowngrade = true;
}

In this example, if the software update does not properly validate and restrict version numbers, an attacker could potentially install an older version of the software, enabling them to exploit security issues that were addressed in newer versions.

Exploit Details

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must be physically located within proximity of the affected device, as the attack is considered to be "adjacent." The attacker would first need to obtain a copy of an older version of Cisco TelePresence CE Software known to have vulnerabilities. Then, they could install this outdated version onto the Cisco Touch 10 Device, effectively downgrading its software.

Once the device has been downgraded, the attacker can take advantage of any known vulnerabilities that may be present in the older version. The attacker could then use these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to the device, monitor communications, or perform other malicious activities. This exploit would be especially dangerous if the attacker is successful in installing a version with remotely exploitable vulnerabilities, widening their attack surface.

Remediation

Cisco has released a software update that addresses the CVE-2022-20931 vulnerability. To remediate this issue, users should update their Cisco TelePresence CE Software for Cisco Touch 10 Devices to the latest version available. This latest version includes fixes for vulnerabilities, including the version control issue described in CVE-2022-20931.

There are no workarounds available that specifically address this vulnerability, so it is essential to apply the latest software updates to protect your devices.

Conclusion

The CVE-2022-20931 vulnerability is a significant security concern for organizations using Cisco TelePresence CE Software on Cisco Touch 10 Devices, as unauthenticated attackers in proximity could potentially downgrade the device's software and exploit known vulnerabilities. It is imperative that users apply the latest software updates to mitigate this risk and ensure device integrity.

For more information on the CVE-2022-20931 vulnerability and Cisco's software updates, please refer to the following resources:

1. Cisco Security Advisory: https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ce-vc-nuxyz7
2. Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) Reference: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-20931

Timeline

Published on: 11/15/2024 15:30:29 UTC