CVE-2011-3290 in Identity Services Engine Software
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) before 1.0.4.MR2 has default Oracle database credentials, which allows remote attackers to modify settings or perform unspecified other administrative actions via unknown vectors, aka Bug ID CSCts59135.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2017
The Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3290 represents a critical security flaw in the authentication and authorization infrastructure that affects versions prior to 1.0.4.MR2. This vulnerability stems from the improper configuration of default credentials within the embedded Oracle database component of the ISE platform, creating a persistent security weakness that remote attackers can exploit to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability specifically targets the default Oracle database credentials that remain unchanged after installation, providing unauthorized access to the underlying database system that controls critical network access policies and user authentication settings.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the use of well-known default credentials that are hardcoded within the Cisco ISE software, typically including default usernames and passwords for Oracle database accounts. These default credentials are documented in various security resources and are commonly referenced in penetration testing and vulnerability assessment tools. Attackers can leverage this weakness to establish database connections without requiring legitimate authentication, subsequently gaining access to administrative functions that control network access control lists, user policies, and authentication configurations. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple pathways exist for exploitation, potentially including direct database manipulation, web interface access, or API endpoints that interact with the underlying Oracle database.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to modify critical network security settings and perform administrative actions that could compromise the entire network infrastructure. Network administrators who rely on ISE for identity management, access control, and policy enforcement face significant risk when this vulnerability exists in their environment, as attackers could potentially disable security controls, create unauthorized user accounts, modify access policies, or even escalate privileges to full administrative control. The vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor into the core identity and access management system that organizations depend upon for network security, potentially allowing attackers to maintain persistent access and conduct further exploitation activities.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including immediate credential rotation for all Oracle database accounts, implementation of network segmentation to limit database access, and deployment of intrusion detection systems to monitor for unauthorized database connections. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials, and represents a classic example of poor security configuration that violates fundamental security principles. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and credential access phases, enabling attackers to move laterally within the network and establish persistent access to critical infrastructure components. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure that default credentials are properly changed and that all systems maintain up-to-date security configurations to prevent exploitation of similar weaknesses.