Cisco BroadWorks Log4j Remote Code Execution Vulnerability Scanner

Cisco BroadWorks is a comprehensive platform designed for telecommunications providers, offering a wide array of voice and collaboration services. This platform facilitates the delivery of high-quality voice and video services to enterprises and residential customers, supporting a range of devices including IP phones, mobile devices, and desktop applications. Cisco BroadWorks enables service providers to offer a scalable, flexible solution that supports integration with other systems and applications. It is widely used in the telecommunications industry to provide unified communications and collaboration features, making it a critical infrastructure component for service delivery.

The Cisco BroadWorks platform was found to be vulnerable to a critical remote code execution flaw due to the Apache Log4j vulnerability, known as CVE-2021-44228. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely by exploiting the Java Naming and Directory Interface (JNDI) injection via log messages. The exploitation of this vulnerability could give attackers unauthorized access to the system, allowing them to compromise the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the services provided by Cisco BroadWorks. This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 10, indicating the highest level of severity.

The vulnerability is exploited through crafted requests to the Cisco BroadWorks application, which include a malicious JNDI lookup pattern in the User-Agent, Referer, or other HTTP headers processed by Log4j. When these requests are logged, the malicious code is executed, potentially allowing the attacker to gain control over the affected system. This particular exploit demonstrates the significant risks associated with logging user-supplied data without proper sanitization and highlights the need for immediate patching and mitigation measures to protect against such attacks.

The potential impact of exploiting this vulnerability includes unauthorized access to the system, data exfiltration, service disruption, and the deployment of malware or ransomware. For service providers using Cisco BroadWorks, this could result in significant operational disruptions, financial losses, and damage to their reputation. The ability for attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely poses a critical threat to the security of telecommunications infrastructure and necessitates urgent remedial actions.

By leveraging the security scanning capabilities of S4E, users can identify and mitigate vulnerabilities such as the Cisco BroadWorks Log4j remote code execution flaw. Our platform offers advanced detection tools and expert guidance to help secure your digital assets against emerging threats. Joining S4E provides access to continuous vulnerability assessments, enabling proactive security measures to safeguard your systems. Enhance your cybersecurity posture and protect your operations with our comprehensive vulnerability management solutions.

References

• https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-apache-log4j-qRuKNEbd