CVE-2012-4107 in Unified Computing System
Summary
by MITRE
The fabric-interconnect component in Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) allows local users to gain privileges and execute arbitrary commands via crafted parameters to a file-related command, aka Bug ID CSCtq86489.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4107 resides within the fabric-interconnect component of Cisco Unified Computing System UCS, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that enables local attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the file-related command processing functionality within the fabric-interconnect, which serves as a crucial management and control interface for the unified computing infrastructure. The fabric-interconnect component acts as a bridge between the server blades and the network, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to the entire UCS domain.
The technical exploitation mechanism involves crafting malicious parameters that are passed to file-related commands within the fabric-interconnect interface. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of command injection or parameter manipulation flaws, where insufficient input validation allows attackers to manipulate the command execution flow. The vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied parameters, particularly those related to file operations, which enables an attacker to bypass normal access controls and elevate their privileges from a standard user to a root-level administrative account. This flaw represents a classic example of insufficient input validation as outlined in CWE-20, which specifically addresses weaknesses in the validation of input data that can lead to various security issues including privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the fabric-interconnect component and by extension, the entire UCS domain. Once successfully exploited, the attacker can modify system configurations, access sensitive data, manipulate network traffic, and potentially compromise all connected server blades and storage systems. The local nature of the attack means that an attacker must already have access to the system, typically through legitimate user credentials or physical access, but the privilege escalation capability makes even limited access extremely dangerous. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation,' and T1566, which addresses 'Phishing for Information,' as attackers might use initial access through social engineering or other means to reach the point where this vulnerability can be exploited.
The implications for enterprise security are particularly severe given that fabric-interconnect components typically serve as central management points for large-scale data center infrastructures. Organizations relying on Cisco UCS for their compute and storage virtualization may face complete compromise of their unified computing environment if this vulnerability is exploited. The attack vector requires local access, but in enterprise environments where multiple administrators have legitimate access to these systems, the risk of exploitation increases significantly. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper access control mechanisms and least privilege principles, as attackers with minimal privileges can escalate to full administrative control. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of fabric-interconnect activities and establish strict access controls to prevent unauthorized local access to these critical management components.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment from Cisco, which would address the underlying input validation flaws in the file-related command processing. Additionally, organizations should enforce strict access controls limiting local access to fabric-interconnect components, implement robust monitoring of administrative activities, and establish clear separation of duties among system administrators. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict direct access to these management interfaces from unauthorized systems. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include comprehensive auditing of access logs to detect any suspicious activities that may indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing privileged access management solutions to control and monitor access to critical infrastructure components. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the importance of having robust incident response procedures in place to quickly detect and respond to exploitation attempts.