CVE-2000-0945 in Catalyst
Summary
by MITRE
The web configuration interface for Catalyst 3500 XL switches allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands without authentication when the enable password is not set, via a URL containing the /exec/ directory.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0945 represents a critical security flaw in Cisco Catalyst 3500 XL switches that exposes the device to unauthorized remote command execution. This issue stems from the web-based configuration interface implementation where the system fails to properly authenticate users attempting to access the /exec/ directory within the web interface. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the enable password has not been configured on the switch, creating a dangerous privilege escalation scenario that allows any remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the device without requiring valid credentials.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a simple URL manipulation technique where attackers construct malicious web requests containing the /exec/ directory path. This design flaw violates fundamental security principles by not implementing proper access controls or authentication checks before allowing command execution functionality. The absence of authentication verification in this specific interface component creates an unauthenticated command execution vector that bypasses the normal security mechanisms typically enforced by the switch's operating system. This weakness is categorized under CWE-284 which describes improper access control, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection through web interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially catastrophic for network infrastructure security. An attacker who discovers an unconfigured Catalyst 3500 XL switch can immediately gain full administrative control over the device, enabling them to modify network configurations, create backdoors, monitor traffic, or even disable network services. This vulnerability essentially provides a complete compromise of the switch's security posture, allowing attackers to establish persistent access to the network core. The implications extend beyond immediate device compromise as these switches often serve as critical network infrastructure components that control traffic flow between different network segments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate implementation of proper security configuration practices including setting strong enable passwords on all Catalyst switches, disabling the web interface if it is not required for administrative purposes, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to these devices. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional access controls through firewall rules that restrict access to the web interface to trusted IP addresses only. The most effective long-term solution requires ensuring that all network devices have properly configured authentication mechanisms and that default configurations are reviewed and hardened according to security best practices. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper network device security hardening and demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration oversights can lead to complete system compromise, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security auditing and regular vulnerability assessments across all network infrastructure components.