CVE-2001-1037 in SN 5420 Storage Router
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco SN 5420 Storage Router 1.1(3) and earlier allows local users to access a developer s shell without a password and execute certain restricted commands without being logged.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2019
The Cisco SN 5420 Storage Router represents a critical network infrastructure device designed for storage area network connectivity and management. This particular vulnerability affects versions 1.1(3) and earlier of the device's software implementation, creating a fundamental security weakness that undermines the device's access control mechanisms. The flaw exists within the device's authentication and authorization framework, specifically in how it handles local user access and command execution privileges. Security researchers identified that the device fails to properly enforce access controls for its developer shell functionality, creating an unauthorized access vector that bypasses normal authentication procedures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control enforcement within the router's operating system. When local users attempt to access the system, the device does not properly verify credentials before granting access to the developer shell environment. This weakness allows unauthorized individuals to gain elevated privileges without proper authentication, effectively providing direct access to restricted system commands and functions. The vulnerability operates at the operating system level where command execution privileges are not properly enforced, creating a path for malicious actors to execute administrative functions without proper authorization. The flaw represents a classic case of insufficient privilege separation and weak access control enforcement that violates fundamental security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to execute restricted commands that could compromise the entire storage network infrastructure. Local users can leverage this vulnerability to gain root-level access to the device, potentially allowing them to modify network configurations, access sensitive storage data, or disrupt storage services. The implications are particularly severe given that the device operates within critical storage network environments where unauthorized access could lead to data breaches, service disruptions, or complete network compromise. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor within the device's own security architecture, undermining the trust model that network administrators rely upon for protecting their storage infrastructure. This weakness could be exploited by malicious insiders or compromised local accounts to gain unauthorized access to critical storage resources.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Cisco IOS version 1.1(4) or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the access control flaw. Network administrators should also review and tighten local access controls, ensuring that only authorized personnel have physical access to the devices. The implementation of network segmentation and monitoring solutions can help detect unauthorized access attempts to storage routers. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their storage network infrastructure to identify other potential vulnerabilities in similar network devices. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software implementations, and represents a significant concern for organizations following ATT&CK framework tactics related to privilege escalation and initial access. The affected devices require immediate attention to prevent potential exploitation that could compromise entire storage networks and the sensitive data they manage.