Cisco Warns of Critical Privilege Escalation Vulnerability in Meeting Management Platform

Cisco has issued a security advisory regarding a critical privilege escalation vulnerability found in Cisco Meeting Management. The vulnerability is tied to the REST API component of the platform, and if exploited, it could allow an attacker to escalate their privileges from a low-level authenticated user to an administrator.  

This issue has the potential to compromise the security of the affected devices, granting unauthorized access to sensitive features and settings. 

Cisco Meeting Management: Advisory Overview 

The vulnerability, identified by advisory ID cisco-sa-cmm-privesc-uy2Vf8pc, was first published on January 22, 2025, at 16:00 GMT. The issue is classified as critical, with a CVSS score of 9.9, indicating the severity of the threat. The vulnerability is tracked under CVE-2025-20156 and is linked to Cisco Bug ID CSCwi88558. 

The problem stems from improper authorization enforcement on the REST API in Cisco Meeting Management. Specifically, the lack of sufficient validation means that a remote, authenticated attacker with low-level privileges can exploit this vulnerability by sending malicious requests to a specific endpoint.  

If successful, the attacker could gain administrator-level access to the device, potentially taking full control of edge nodes managed by Cisco Meeting Management. 

Affected Products 

This vulnerability affects all versions of Cisco Meeting Management. Regardless of device configuration, any system running an affected version is vulnerable. For users of Cisco Meeting Management, it is crucial to check whether their current software release is impacted. 

The issue is present in Cisco Meeting Management releases up to and including version 3.8. Cisco has provided updates to address the flaw in version 3.9.1. Notably, version 3.10 is not vulnerable to this privilege escalation issue. 

Exploitation Details 

Exploitation of the vulnerability occurs when a low-privileged authenticated user sends crafted API requests to certain endpoints in the REST API. These requests bypass the intended authorization checks, leading to the elevation of the attacker’s privileges. A successful exploit allows the attacker to execute administrative commands, potentially compromising the device’s security and integrity. 

As of the advisory’s release, there have been no reports of public exploitation or malicious use of this vulnerability. However, due to its severity, Cisco strongly urges affected users to update their systems as soon as possible. 

No Workarounds Available 

Unfortunately, there are no workarounds for mitigating this vulnerability. Cisco has emphasized that the only way to address the issue is through a software update. Therefore, organizations using Cisco Meeting Management should prioritize updating to the fixed software versions outlined in the advisory. 

Cisco’s Response 

To address the vulnerability, Cisco has released software updates for affected versions of Cisco Meeting Management. The following is the guidance for upgrading: 

• Cisco Meeting Management 3.8 and earlier: Users should migrate to a fixed release, such as version 3.9.1. 
• Cisco Meeting Management 3.9: Upgrade to version 3.9.1. 
• Cisco Meeting Management 3.10: This version is not affected and does not require any updates. 

For customers who do not have a service contract or those unable to obtain updates through normal channels, Cisco recommends contacting the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) to get assistance with obtaining the necessary software fixes. 

What Affected Users Should Do 

Users should check the Fixed Software section of the advisory to ensure they are using an updated, secure version. Customers with service contracts can access updates through the usual channels. However, those without service contracts should reach out directly to Cisco TAC for support. 

It is essential to note that customers are only eligible for free security updates for the versions and feature sets they have purchased. To obtain these updates, customers need to have a valid license from Cisco or an authorized reseller. 

Conclusion 

The Privilege Escalation Vulnerability in the Cisco Meeting Management REST API is a critical security issue with potentially severe consequences. Organizations should prioritize updating their systems to the latest fixed releases to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access and control. As no workarounds are available, upgrading to a secure version remains the only solution for those affected.