CVE-2007-4786 in ASA
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) running PIX 7.0 before 7.0.7.1, 7.1 before 7.1.2.61, 7.2 before 7.2.2.34, and 8.0 before 8.0.2.11, when AAA is enabled, composes %ASA-5-111008 messages from the "test aaa" command with cleartext passwords and sends them over the network to a remote syslog server or places them in a local logging buffer, which allows context-dependent attackers to obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-4786 affects Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) devices running specific versions of the PIX operating system when Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) services are enabled. This issue represents a critical information disclosure flaw that compromises the security of authentication processes within network security infrastructure. The vulnerability manifests when administrators execute the "test aaa" command, which is typically used for validating AAA configuration and authentication mechanisms. The flaw resides in how the ASA processes and logs authentication test results, creating a direct pathway for sensitive credential information to be exposed through network communications or local storage mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of cleartext passwords during AAA test operations. When the test aaa command is executed, the ASA system incorporates the actual password values into log messages with the specific syslog severity level 5 and message code 111008. These log messages are then transmitted over the network to designated syslog servers or stored locally in the device's logging buffer without adequate sanitization or encryption. This design flaw directly violates security best practices for handling sensitive information and creates an attack surface where unauthorized parties can intercept or access these log entries to extract authentication credentials. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the legitimate administrative testing functionality of the device, making it difficult to distinguish between normal operation and exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure to encompass broader security implications for network infrastructure protection. Attackers who gain access to the syslog server or can read local logs can extract cleartext passwords from the affected ASA devices, potentially enabling them to compromise additional network resources that rely on the same authentication credentials. This weakness can facilitate lateral movement within networks and provide attackers with persistent access to critical security controls. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the PIX operating system, indicating a widespread issue that would impact numerous enterprise security deployments. Organizations using affected ASA versions face increased risk of credential theft, unauthorized access to protected network resources, and potential compromise of their overall security posture. The context-dependent nature of this attack means that only systems with AAA enabled and accessible logging mechanisms are vulnerable, but the scope of potential impact remains significant.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4786 require immediate attention from network administrators and security teams. The primary remediation involves upgrading affected ASA devices to patched versions that address the log message handling behavior, specifically versions 7.0.7.1, 7.1.2.61, 7.2.2.34, and 8.0.2.11 or later. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of syslog servers to only authorized administrative systems. Additional protective measures include configuring secure syslog transmission using encrypted protocols such as syslog over TLS, implementing strict access controls on local logging buffers, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect unusual log message patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) when attackers leverage extracted credentials for further exploitation. Network security teams should also consider implementing automated credential rotation policies and comprehensive logging audits to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain visibility into authentication activities.