CVE-2007-2282 in NetFlow Collection Engine
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Network Services (CNS) NetFlow Collection Engine (NFC) before 6.0 has an nfcuser account with the default password nfcuser, which allows remote attackers to modify the product configuration and, when installed on Linux, obtain login access to the host operating system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-2282 affects Cisco Network Services NetFlow Collection Engine version 6.0 and earlier, specifically targeting the nfcuser account configuration. This represents a critical security weakness in the authentication mechanism of the NetFlow Collection Engine, which is designed to collect and process network traffic data for network monitoring and analysis purposes. The flaw stems from the use of a default account with a predictable and well-known password, creating an easily exploitable entry point for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the presence of a dedicated nfcuser account within the NetFlow Collection Engine software that ships with a hardcoded password of "nfcuser". This default credential configuration violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper authentication management. When the NetFlow Collection Engine is deployed on Linux operating systems, this vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous as attackers can leverage the default credentials to not only modify the product configuration but also gain full login access to the underlying host operating system. This dual impact allows for both configuration manipulation and system-level compromise, significantly expanding the potential attack surface.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations deploying Cisco Network Services NetFlow Collection Engine in their network infrastructure. The remote attack vector means that adversaries do not require physical access or local network credentials to exploit the weakness, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network monitoring tools are deployed. The ability to modify product configuration allows attackers to potentially disrupt network monitoring capabilities, alter data collection parameters, or redirect traffic for malicious purposes. When combined with the additional privilege escalation to host operating system access, the vulnerability enables full system compromise and persistence within the network environment.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-798, which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and represents a classic example of poor credential management practices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including credential access through default credentials and privilege escalation to system-level access. Organizations with unpatched systems remain vulnerable to initial access and lateral movement attacks, particularly in environments where network monitoring tools are deployed without proper security hardening. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper software configuration management and the necessity of changing default credentials immediately upon deployment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including updating to Cisco Network Services NetFlow Collection Engine version 6.0 or later where the default password issue has been addressed. Organizations should implement comprehensive credential management policies that mandate changing default passwords for all accounts, particularly those with administrative privileges. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the exposure of network monitoring tools to unauthorized users. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other network infrastructure components. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized access attempts and credential usage patterns can provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts.