CVE-2011-2569 in Unified Computing System Software
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Nexus OS (aka NX-OS) 4.2 and 5.0 and Cisco Unified Computing System with software 1.4 and 2.0 do not properly restrict command-line options, which allows local users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors, aka Bug IDs CSCtf40008, CSCtg18363, CSCtr44645, CSCts10195, and CSCts10188.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2569 affects Cisco Nexus Operating System versions 4.2 and 5.0, as well as Cisco Unified Computing System software versions 1.4 and 2.0, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that undermines the security posture of enterprise networking infrastructure. This weakness stems from improper restrictions on command-line options within the operating system's execution environment, creating pathways for local attackers to elevate their privileges without proper authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests through unspecified vectors that exploit the underlying command processing architecture, allowing unauthorized users to execute privileged operations that should be restricted to authorized administrative personnel. The affected systems include various network switches and unified computing platforms that rely on NX-OS for their operational functionality, making this a widespread concern across enterprise data centers and network infrastructures.
The technical flaw resides in the insufficient validation and sanitization of command-line arguments within the NX-OS execution environment, creating a command injection vulnerability that operates at the system level rather than application level. This weakness allows local users to manipulate command-line parameters in ways that bypass normal access controls and privilege boundaries, effectively enabling privilege escalation attacks without requiring external network access or complex exploitation techniques. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple command execution as it provides attackers with elevated system privileges that can be leveraged to modify critical system configurations, access sensitive data, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The specific bug identifiers CSCtf40008, CSCtg18363, CSCtr44645, CSCts1010195, and CSCts10188 represent various manifestations of the same underlying flaw across different system components and software versions, indicating a systemic issue in the command-line processing architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on Cisco Nexus switches and Unified Computing Systems, as local privilege escalation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to critical network infrastructure. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can gain administrative privileges to perform operations such as modifying network configurations, accessing sensitive operational data, disabling security controls, or establishing backdoor access points that persist across system reboots. The local nature of the attack means that any user with access to the system's command-line interface can potentially exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have system access or where account compromise occurs through other attack vectors. The vulnerability essentially undermines the principle of least privilege by allowing unauthorized elevation of system privileges through manipulation of command-line options that should be restricted to authorized administrative users.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches and updates provided by Cisco to address the privilege escalation vulnerability in NX-OS versions 4.2 and 5.0, as well as Unified Computing System software versions 1.4 and 2.0. Network administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected software versions and prioritize patching efforts based on risk exposure and system criticality within the network infrastructure. Additional security measures should include implementing strict access controls for command-line interfaces, monitoring system logs for suspicious privilege escalation attempts, and enforcing separation of duties for administrative access to prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to privileged system functions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) and CWE-264 (Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls) categories, and represents a significant risk under the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the T1068 (Local Privilege Escalation) and T1548.001 (Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism) tactics. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect anomalous command-line activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.