CVE-2012-4111 in Unified Computing System
Summary
by MITRE
The create certreq command in the fabric-interconnect component in Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) allows local users to gain privileges by embedding commands in an unspecified parameter, aka Bug ID CSCtq86563.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-4111 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Cisco Unified Computing System fabric-interconnect components. This issue specifically affects the create certreq command functionality where local users can exploit an unspecified parameter to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges. The vulnerability resides in the fabric-interconnect component of Cisco UCS, which serves as a crucial management and control interface for unified computing environments. The bug ID CSCtq86563 indicates this was recognized as a significant security concern within Cisco's internal tracking systems, highlighting the potential for unauthorized access to critical system functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the create certreq command processing logic. When local users submit crafted parameters to this command, the system fails to adequately sanitize or validate the input before processing. This lack of proper parameter validation creates a command injection vector that allows attackers to embed malicious commands within what should be a simple certificate request creation operation. The unspecified parameter mentioned in the description likely refers to a field that accepts user-supplied data without proper sanitization, enabling attackers to manipulate the command execution flow. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories, which specifically address command injection flaws where attacker-controlled data is incorporated into system commands without proper validation or escaping mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4111 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially compromise entire unified computing environments. Local users who can access the fabric-interconnect component gain the ability to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability undermines the security model of Cisco UCS by allowing unauthorized local access to perform actions that should be restricted to authorized administrators only. Attackers could leverage this flaw to install backdoors, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, or establish persistent access to the computing infrastructure. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where UCS systems manage critical data center operations and where local access might be obtained through legitimate administrative activities or compromised user accounts.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying Cisco's security patches and updates released for this specific issue. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit local access to fabric-interconnect components, following the principle of least privilege. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of all user accounts with access to these components and monitor for suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper command execution handling in security-critical systems, aligning with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and command injection. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous command execution patterns and establish monitoring procedures for unusual certificate request activities that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.