CVE-2008-1157 in CiscoWorks Internetwork Performance Monitor
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco CiscoWorks Internetwork Performance Monitor (IPM) 2.6 creates a process that executes a command shell and listens on a randomly chosen TCP port, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-1157 represents a critical security flaw in Cisco CiscoWorks Internetwork Performance Monitor version 2.6 that fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of network monitoring systems. This issue arises from the improper implementation of command execution mechanisms within the IPM application, creating an attack surface that enables unauthorized remote code execution. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application creates a process that spawns a command shell and establishes a listening TCP connection on a randomly selected port, effectively providing attackers with a persistent backdoor into the system. This flaw directly violates fundamental security principles by granting remote adversaries the ability to execute arbitrary commands without proper authentication or authorization, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise network environments where such monitoring tools are commonly deployed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate or restrict access to its command execution capabilities. When CiscoWorks IPM 2.6 initializes, it creates a process that launches a command shell and binds to a TCP port for incoming connections. The random port selection mechanism, while seemingly designed to prevent predictable attack vectors, actually creates a more complex exploitation scenario where attackers must first discover the open port before establishing their connection. This design flaw falls under the category of improper input validation and inadequate access controls as classified by CWE-20, which specifically addresses weakness in the design of input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass normal authentication procedures and execute malicious commands directly on the host system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The random port selection does not adequately address the underlying security issue, as network reconnaissance tools can still discover open ports through various scanning techniques, making this a persistent threat vector.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, creating significant risks for enterprise network security and compliance. Organizations relying on CiscoWorks IPM for network performance monitoring face potential data breaches, system infiltration, and unauthorized network access that could compromise sensitive infrastructure information. The ability to execute arbitrary commands remotely means attackers can manipulate network configurations, install malware, or exfiltrate data without detection, particularly since the vulnerability is likely to go unnoticed in routine security monitoring. This vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad by compromising confidentiality through data access, integrity through system manipulation, and availability through potential system disruption. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python and T1566.001 Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers can leverage this backdoor to maintain persistent access and escalate privileges within the network environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1157 require immediate action from organizations utilizing affected CiscoWorks IPM versions, including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates as soon as they become available. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the affected application and its listening ports, particularly in environments where the tool is not essential for critical operations. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software and ensure that proper access controls are implemented to prevent unauthorized remote access. System monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns or unexpected network connections that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should implement network intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious TCP connections to the random port ranges used by the vulnerable application. The implementation of principle of least privilege access controls and regular security audits will help reduce the attack surface and ensure that only authorized personnel can access the monitoring infrastructure. Organizations should also consider migrating to more secure network monitoring solutions that do not exhibit such fundamental security flaws in their design.