CVE-2012-4087 in Unified Computing System
Summary
by MITRE
A cluster setup script for fabric interconnect devices in Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via invalid parameters, aka Bug ID CSCtg20793.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4087 represents a critical security flaw in Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) fabric interconnect devices that stems from improper input validation within a cluster setup script. This weakness exists in the command execution mechanism that governs how cluster configurations are established and managed across UCS environments. The vulnerability specifically affects the way the system processes parameters provided during the cluster setup process, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute unauthorized commands on affected devices.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of input parameters that are passed to the cluster setup script. When invalid or maliciously crafted parameters are provided, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate these inputs before processing them, leading to command injection attacks. This flaw falls under the category of command injection vulnerabilities, which are systematically catalogued under CWE-77 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The vulnerability essentially allows an attacker to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected system, potentially compromising the entire UCS infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4087 is severe and multifaceted within enterprise data center environments that utilize Cisco UCS platforms. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to fabric interconnect devices, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and disruption of critical network services. The affected devices serve as core components in UCS architectures, managing network connectivity and fabric services for numerous servers and applications, making them prime targets for adversaries seeking to establish persistent access within enterprise networks. This vulnerability particularly affects the integrity and availability of the unified computing infrastructure, as compromised interconnect devices can disrupt communication between servers and storage systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-4087 should prioritize immediate implementation of Cisco's official security patches and updates, which address the input validation deficiencies in the cluster setup script. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous parameter usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems that can identify command injection patterns and maintain strict change management protocols for all UCS configuration modifications. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, representing a classic command injection attack vector that requires comprehensive network security controls to prevent successful exploitation and maintain operational resilience in unified computing environments.