CVE-2009-0617 in Application Networking Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Application Networking Manager (ANM) before 2.0 uses a default MySQL root password, which makes it easier for remote attackers to execute arbitrary operating-system commands or change system files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0617 affects Cisco Application Networking Manager version 2.0 and earlier, presenting a critical security weakness that stems from the improper configuration of database credentials. This flaw represents a classic case of weak default credentials that significantly undermines the security posture of the affected system. The vulnerability resides in the default configuration where the MySQL root account is initialized with a known, hard-coded password that remains unchanged in production deployments. This misconfiguration creates an exploitable entry point that allows unauthorized entities to gain elevated privileges within the system's operational environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the default MySQL root password to establish database connections and subsequently execute operating system commands. Attackers can exploit this weakness by simply connecting to the MySQL database service using the known credentials and then leveraging the privileges associated with the root account to manipulate system files and execute arbitrary commands. This represents a privilege escalation vulnerability that bypasses normal authentication mechanisms and allows attackers to gain administrative control over the underlying operating system. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it enables full system compromise through command execution capabilities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations deploying Cisco ANM in production environments. The default password exposure allows remote attackers to compromise systems without requiring additional reconnaissance or credential harvesting techniques. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by automated scanning tools and script kiddies who do not require specialized knowledge to exploit. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of system data, as attackers can modify system files, install malicious software, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. Organizations with multiple deployments of this software face exponential risk exposure, as a single compromised system can serve as a foothold for broader network infiltration.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-798, which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and represents a clear violation of security best practices for system configuration management. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the privilege escalation and execution phases of the MITRE ATT&CK matrix, specifically targeting the 'T1068' technique for local privilege escalation and 'T1059' for command and scripting interpreter execution. Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures including changing the default MySQL root password to a strong, unique value, disabling unnecessary database services, and conducting comprehensive security audits of all deployed Cisco ANM systems. Additionally, regular security assessments and configuration management processes should be enforced to prevent similar misconfigurations from occurring in other system components. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper security hardening practices and demonstrates how default configurations can create significant security exposure if not properly addressed during deployment.