Cisco Security Agent (CSA) is a security software agent that provides threat protection for server and desktop computing systems. CSA agents can be managed by CiscoWorks VMS Management Center for Cisco Security Agents or can be standalone agents running on Cisco IP Communications application servers. Standalone agents for Cisco IP Communications application servers must be manually installed on the IP Communications application server. A vulnerability exists in CSA agents that can allow a privilege escalation through locally executed software, providing a normal user or attacker with local system level privileges on a Windows workstation or server running managed or standalone CSA 4.5.0 or 4.5.1 agents. Cisco has made free software available to address this vulnerability for affected customers. This advisory is posted at http://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20051129-csa
Cisco Security Agent (CSA) is a security software agent that provides threat protection for server and desktop computing systems. CSA agents can be managed by CiscoWorks VMS Management Center for Cisco Security Agents or can be standalone agents running on Cisco IP Communications application servers. Standalone agents for Cisco IP Communications application servers must be manually installed on the IP Communications application server.
A vulnerability exists in CSA agents that can allow a privilege escalation through locally executed software, providing a normal user or attacker with local system level privileges on a Windows workstation or server running managed or standalone CSA 4.5.0 or 4.5.1 agents.
Cisco has made free software available to address this vulnerability for affected customers.
This advisory is posted at http://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20051129-csa
This section provides details on affected products.
CSA 4.5.0 and 4.5.1 agents managed by CiscoWorks VMS Management Center for Cisco Security Agents and standalone agents running on Cisco IP Communications application servers are affected when running on:
Note: These versions are used by CallManager, Cisco Conference Connection (CCC), Emergency Responder, IPCC Express, IP Interactive Voice Response (IP IVR), and IP Queue Manager
Note: This version is used by CVP 3.0 and 3.1 and CVP VXML Server.
The following products are confirmed not vulnerable:
No other Cisco products are currently known to be affected by this vulnerability.
In order to determine which version of CSA is running on client machines, "right click" on the CSA icon in the Windows task bar. On the pop-up menu, selecting "About ..." will display the version number of the agent in a pop-up window containing text similar to "Cisco Security Agent V4.5 build 565."
You can also determine the CSA version using the Management Console for Cisco Security Agent on your CiscoWorks server. Complete these steps:
Note: You can only manage CSA 4.5.X Agents with Version 4.5-X (any build) Management Center for Cisco Security Agents.
Cisco Security Agent provides threat protection for server and desktop computing systems. Vulnerable versions of Cisco Security Agent may allow software executed locally to bypass systems protections and run with elevated privileges resulting in normal users and attackers obtaining local system level privileges.
Agent checks configured to prevent malicious software from running on a CSA protected system will be active; however, any checks that occur after successful exploitation may be bypassed.
This issue is not related to a Microsoft Operating System issue nor can a CSA policy modification change this behavior.
This vulnerability is documented in the Cisco Bug Toolkit as Bug ID CSCsc42373 ( registered customers only)
For information about local system level privileges, refer to:
Cisco CSA for CallManager, CCC, Emergency Responder, IPCC Express, IP IVR, and IP Queue Manager
Cisco CSA for ICM, IPCC Enterprise, and IPCC Hosted Version 4.5.1 build 616
Cisco CSA for CVP 3.0 and 3.1 version 4.5.0 build 573. This version is used by CVP 3.0 and 3.1 and CVP VXML Server
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 fixed version of the Cisco Security Agent software requires no more resources than older 4.5.0 and 4.5.1 builds. It should be suitable for any system currently running 4.5.0 or 4.5.1.
Note: This version is used by CallManager, CCC, Emergency Responder, IPCC Express, IP IVR, and IP Queue Manager.
Note: This version is used for CVP 3.0 and 3.1 and CVP VXML Server.
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.
Revision 1.0 |
2005-November-29 |
Initial Release |
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