CVE-2007-0057 in Clean Access
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Clean Access (CCA) 3.6.x through 3.6.4.2 and 4.0.x through 4.0.3.2 does not properly configure or allow modification of a shared secret authentication key, which causes all devices to have the same shared sercet and allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2019
Cisco Clean Access authentication systems suffer from a critical configuration flaw that undermines the fundamental security model of network access control. The vulnerability exists in versions 3.6.x through 3.6.4.2 and 4.0.x through 4.0.3.2 where the shared secret authentication key mechanism fails to properly configure or allow modification of individual device credentials. This design flaw results in all network devices within the Clean Access environment being configured with identical shared secrets, effectively creating a single point of failure that compromises the entire network access control infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper key management protocols within the Cisco Clean Access system. When devices are provisioned or configured, the system does not enforce unique shared secret values for each authentication endpoint, nor does it provide administrators with mechanisms to modify these critical credentials after initial deployment. This configuration issue directly violates security best practices outlined in the NIST Special Publication 800-57, which emphasizes the importance of unique cryptographic keys for each authentication entity to prevent unauthorized access and privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple authentication bypass scenarios, creating multiple attack vectors that can be exploited by remote adversaries. An attacker who gains knowledge of the shared secret can authenticate to any device within the Clean Access domain, potentially gaining administrative access to network infrastructure, bypassing network segmentation controls, and executing lateral movement attacks. This vulnerability aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1078 technique for Valid Accounts, where attackers leverage default or weak credentials to maintain persistent access to network resources. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Clean Access systems are typically deployed at network perimeters and core infrastructure points where unauthorized access could result in complete network compromise.
The security implications of this flaw are compounded by the fact that the vulnerability affects multiple versions of the Cisco Clean Access platform, indicating a systemic design issue rather than a simple patchable bug. Network administrators who may have believed their systems were secure due to proper configuration are instead operating under a false sense of security, as the default installation behavior creates a universal access point for malicious actors. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper key management and configuration controls as outlined in the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) catalog under CWE-320, which addresses weaknesses related to exposure of sensitive information through improper key handling. Organizations relying on Cisco Clean Access systems must immediately implement compensating controls, including network segmentation, additional authentication layers, and comprehensive monitoring of authentication attempts to detect potential exploitation attempts.