Cisco Security Advisory
-
Recent installations of Cisco Unity running on IBM servers contain default user accounts and default IP addresses which should be removed or disabled immediately. Vulnerable systems can be identified by the part number on the installation disk or by following directions in the Workarounds section. Each vulnerability can be verified and removed manually without requiring an upgrade to new software or reinstallation. This vulnerability only applies to IBM-based Cisco Unity systems installed with specific part numbers on the installation disks. No other platforms running Cisco Unity are vulnerable.
This advisory will be available at https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20031210-unity.
-
IBM-based Cisco Unity servers purchased either as an MCS server or with direct IBM branding and installed with the Cisco Unity Server image disk supplied may be affected. Cisco Unity servers with the unintended local user account "bubba", default RAID Manager address, and default DHCP server address are affected. Following directions in the Workarounds section below, existence of each account or address can be verified.
Vulnerable Products
Part numbers imprinted on the installation disks with a local user account "bubba", default RAID Manager address, and DHCP server address:
- 80-7111-01 for the UNITY-SVRX255-1A
- 80-7112-01 for the UNITY-SVRX255-2A
Part numbers imprinted on the installation disks with default RAID Manager address and DHCP server address (no local user account "bubba"):
- 80-6750-01 for the Unity SVRX232-1A
- 80-6765-01 for the UNITY-SVRX232-2A
- 80-7108-01 and 80-7108-02 for the UNITY-SVRX205-1A
- 80-7109-01 and 80-7109-02 for the UNITY-SVRX345-1A
- 80-7110-01 and 80-7110-02 for the UNITY-SVRX345-2A
- 80-7002-01 and 80-7003-01 for the UNITY-SVRX255-1A and UNITY-SVRX255-2A
- 80-7243-01 for the MCS-7815i-2.0-ECS1
- 80-7242-01 for the MCS-7835i-2.4-ECS1
- 80-7241-01 for the MCS-7845i-2.4-ECS1
- 80-7240-01 for the MCS-7845i-2.4-ECS2
- 80-7237-01 plus 80-7239-01 for the MCS-7855i-1.5-ECS1
- 80-7236-01 plus 80-7238-01 for the MCS-7855i-1.5-ECS2
- 80-7237-01 plus 80-7239-01 for the MCS-7865i-1.5-ECS1
- 80-7236-01 plus 80-7238-01 for the MCS-7865i-1.5-ECS2
Products Confirmed Not Vulnerable
No other Cisco products are currently known to be affected by these vulnerabilities.
-
Local User Account Issue
A local user account "bubba" with log on locally rights was created during manufacturing testing.
RAID Manager Issue
After installation, if the RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) Management service is configured to start automatically and not restricted to local-only, the service tries to establish a TCP session with a RAID server address which was used during testing at the manufacturer and leaves the TCP port 34571 open listening for remote contact. The TCP connection attempt is directed to an IP address embedded in the RaidNLst.ser file within the C:\Program Files\RaidMan directory. This is a configuration file which directs how and to whom Notification messages are sent for the RAID Management service (RaidServ.exe).
DHCP Issue
After installation, if the Cisco Unity Server is configured to get an IP address from a DHCP server and no local server exists, it will repeatedly send packets attempting to get an IP address from the DHCP server on the manufacturer's test network. The manufacturer's DHCP server IP address will remain in the registry until a local DHCP server is identified or a static entry is made for a local DHCP server.
-
Local User Account Issue
Remove the "bubba" local user account. Open Computer Management, click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. Double-click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Computer Management. Click the Local Users and Group folder. Double-click the Users folder. Right-click on the "bubba" user and select Delete. The vulnerability is not present if the user "bubba" does not exist.
RAID Manager Issue
Remove all entries in the RAID Manager program for unwanted notification servers in the RaidNLst.ser file. Go to the Start menu and select Programs. Launch the ServeRAID Manager. Go to the Actions menu, select Configure ServeRAID Agent, and select Notifications. In the new window, right click the row for each undesired RAID Management server and select Delete System. Close the application. There is no need to reboot. Upon exiting the program, a new RaidNLst.ser file is created with no references to any IP addresses. Do not simply delete the file without modifying the configuration via the program, as a new RaidNLst.ser file is created which contains the reference to the manufacturer’s address again. The vulnerability is not present if unwanted notification servers are not present in the RaidNLst.ser file.
Set the RAID Management service to local to turn off listening on port 34571. Go to the Start menu, point to Settings, move the cursor to Control Panel, and select Services. Select ServeRAID Management Service and change the properties to Disabled. Then go to the Start menu and select Programs. Launch the ServeRAID Manager and go to the File menu tab. Select User Preferences and click on the Remote Access Settings tab. Under Startup Mode, check the Local Only checkbox. Click OK, and then at the resulting dialog box, click OK again. Close the application. There is no need to reboot. The vulnerability is not present if the RAID Management service is set to local.
DHCP Issue
After initial installation, to ensure the Cisco Unity Server does not send multiple DHCP requests and properly resolves its IP Address, either assign a static IP address or local address for the DHCP server. Cisco Unity server documentation discourages using DHCP for the server, recommending Cisco Unity Servers always use static IP addresses. Multiple DHCP requests will not be sent to the manufacturer's server if the Cisco Unity server is functioning with an IP address.
-
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.
The vulnerabilities are specific to the IBM-based Unity servers and all vulnerabilities listed in this advisory can be removed with specific actions to eliminate the account or addresses, so no software is required.
-
The Cisco PSIRT is not aware of any public announcements or malicious use of the vulnerability described in this advisory.
-
To learn about Cisco security vulnerability disclosure policies and publications, see the Security Vulnerability Policy. This document also contains instructions for obtaining fixed software and receiving security vulnerability information from Cisco.
-
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 is an uncontrolled copy, and may lack important information or contain factual errors. The information in this document is intended for end-users of Cisco products.