CVE-2000-0368 in IOS
Summary
by MITRE
Classic Cisco IOS 9.1 and later allows attackers with access to the loging prompt to obtain portions of the command history of previous users, which may allow the attacker to access sensitive data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-0368 represents a significant security flaw in Cisco IOS versions 9.1 and later that affects the command history functionality within the logging prompt. This issue stems from inadequate access controls and privilege separation mechanisms within the router operating system, creating an unintended information disclosure channel that can be exploited by authenticated attackers. The vulnerability specifically targets the command history feature that is designed to provide users with access to previously executed commands, but fails to properly restrict access to this information based on user context and privileges. This flaw operates at the application layer within the network operating system and demonstrates a critical weakness in the principle of least privilege enforcement that should be fundamental to all secure computing environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the design of the Cisco IOS command history mechanism, which maintains a record of commands executed by users in a manner that does not adequately distinguish between different user sessions or enforce proper access controls. When an attacker gains access to the logging prompt, they can leverage this vulnerability to retrieve command history entries from previous user sessions, potentially accessing sensitive information including passwords, configuration commands, network addresses, and other potentially confidential data that was previously executed by different users. The vulnerability exists because the system does not properly implement session isolation or access controls that would prevent one user from accessing another user's command history, creating a direct information disclosure channel that violates fundamental security principles. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper access control as defined by CWE-284 and represents a failure in privilege management within the operating system.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-0368 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks that could compromise the entire network infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gather intelligence about network configurations, identify potential attack vectors through previously executed commands, and potentially extract authentication credentials that were used in previous sessions. This information can be particularly valuable for attackers planning subsequent attacks as it provides insights into network topology, security measures, and user behavior patterns. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited by any user with access to the logging prompt, which may include legitimate users with lower privilege levels or compromised accounts that have been elevated to this access level. This makes the attack surface larger and more difficult to control, as it does not require special elevated privileges beyond basic access to the logging interface.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and privilege separation mechanisms within the Cisco IOS environment. Network administrators should ensure that the logging prompt access is properly restricted and that appropriate authentication controls are in place to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system interfaces. The implementation of role-based access controls and proper session isolation measures can help prevent one user from accessing another user's command history, effectively closing this information disclosure channel. Additionally, regular security audits and monitoring of system access logs should be conducted to detect any unauthorized access attempts to sensitive system interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access control lists to limit access to critical network devices and their logging interfaces. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices such as the principle of least privilege and proper access control implementation, which are fundamental requirements for maintaining secure network infrastructure and align with the security recommendations outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including those referenced in the ATT&CK framework for network infrastructure security.