A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Prime Infrastructure and Evolved Programmable Network (EPN) Manager could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on an affected system. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input to the web-based management interface. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTP requests to the interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system (OS) with the permissions of a special non-root user. In this way, an attacker could take control of the affected system, which would allow them to obtain and alter sensitive data. The attacker could also affect the devices that are managed by the affected system by pushing arbitrary configuration files, retrieving device credentials and confidential information, and ultimately undermining the stability of the devices, causing a denial of service (DoS) condition.
This vulnerability is classified with a CVSS score of 8.8, indicating a high severity level. Organizations that utilize Cisco Prime Infrastructure and Evolved Programmable Network Manager should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate potential risks. The vulnerability allows for significant risk to organizations, including unauthorized access and alteration of sensitive data, which could have cascading effects on the stability and integrity of managed devices.
As of the latest information, there are no public exploits confirmed to be available for this vulnerability, but the potential for exploitation is high. Organizations must remain vigilant and monitor their environments for any unauthorized access attempts or unusual activity that could indicate an exploit attempt.
Given the severity of this vulnerability, it is crucial for organizations to address this issue in their priority patch cycle. Implementing security measures and monitoring systems are essential to defend against possible exploitation.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system due to insufficient validation of user input. The CVSS score of 8.8 reflects the high potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. This vulnerability affects Cisco Prime Infrastructure and Evolved Programmable Network Manager, with versions prior to 5.1 and 3.9 respectively being vulnerable.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is the insufficient validation of user-supplied input on the web management interface. The attack vector is network-based, requiring low complexity to exploit, and only low privileges are necessary for the attacker. There is no user interaction required for this vulnerability to be exploited, which adds to its severity.
The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is rated as high, meaning successful exploitation could lead to significant data breaches or unauthorized access to sensitive information. Organizations should implement strict monitoring and logging of their network traffic to detect unauthorized access attempts.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to systems and sensitive data, which can result in severe operational disruptions and data integrity issues. The potential for attackers to manipulate managed devices increases the blast radius of this vulnerability, amplifying its impact across networks.
Organizations should assess their environments and ensure that they are not using vulnerable versions of Cisco products. Given the urgency of this vulnerability, organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate potential risks.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions are affected: Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager (versions prior to 5.1) and Cisco Prime Infrastructure (versions prior to 3.9). Organizations should update to the latest versions to mitigate this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply patches provided by Cisco to remediate this vulnerability. Specific updates can be found on the Cisco Security Advisory page. In addition to patching, organizations should consider implementing configuration hardening measures and review network controls to limit exposure to potential attacks. Regular security assessments can help identify weaknesses in the environment.
Penetration testing can provide additional insights into vulnerabilities and confirm that the patched systems are secure.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual HTTP requests or unauthorized access attempts, which could indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Behavioral anomalies in network traffic should also be reviewed to identify potential exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in its potential impact on the security of network management systems. Organizations should learn from this incident to enhance their input validation practices and overall security posture.
Designing a vulnerability management program is essential for continuous improvement in security measures.
Adopting a robust penetration testing methodology can help organizations identify and mitigate similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Implementing security testing best practices can also enhance the overall security framework, ensuring better protection against potential threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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