CVE-2012-4113 in Unified Computing System
Summary
by MITRE
The fabric-interconnect component in Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) allows local users to gain privileges and read arbitrary files via crafted command parameters within the command-line interface, aka Bug ID CSCtr43374.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4113 resides within the fabric-interconnect component of Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS), representing a significant security weakness that enables local attackers to escalate privileges and access sensitive system files. This flaw specifically manifests through manipulation of command parameters within the command-line interface, creating an avenue for unauthorized information disclosure and privilege escalation. The vulnerability affects Cisco UCS deployments where the fabric-interconnect component is present, potentially compromising the entire unified computing infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the command-line interface of the fabric-interconnect component. When local users submit crafted command parameters, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate these inputs before processing them, allowing maliciously constructed commands to bypass normal access controls. This weakness creates a path for privilege escalation where standard user accounts can potentially execute administrative commands and access files that should normally be restricted to privileged users. The vulnerability operates at the command execution level, leveraging the trust model of the local interface to manipulate system behavior through carefully constructed input sequences.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4113 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables local attackers to gain elevated privileges and read arbitrary files within the system. This capability allows adversaries to access sensitive configuration data, authentication credentials, system logs, and potentially other confidential information stored within the UCS environment. The vulnerability undermines the principle of least privilege by allowing local users to bypass normal access controls and escalate their privileges to administrative levels. Organizations utilizing Cisco UCS are particularly vulnerable as this flaw affects core infrastructure components that manage network connectivity and compute resources within data centers, potentially compromising the entire unified computing ecosystem.
Security mitigations for CVE-2012-4113 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization within the command-line interface of fabric-interconnect components. Cisco recommends applying the latest security patches and updates that address this specific vulnerability, as well as implementing network segmentation to limit local access to critical infrastructure components. Organizations should also establish robust monitoring procedures to detect anomalous command execution patterns and privilege escalation attempts within their UCS environments. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, and represents a classic example of how inadequate sanitization of user inputs can lead to privilege escalation and information disclosure. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and credential access capabilities, as attackers can leverage local access to gain administrative privileges and extract sensitive data from the system.