CVE-2012-4114 in Unified Computing System
Summary
by MITRE
The fabric-interconnect KVM module in Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) does not encrypt video data, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to watch KVM display content by sniffing the network or modify this traffic by inserting packets into the client-server data stream, aka Bug ID CSCtr72949.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4114 affects the fabric-interconnect KVM module within Cisco Unified Computing System environments, representing a critical weakness in network security protocols that undermines the confidentiality and integrity of remote desktop sessions. This flaw exists specifically within the KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) functionality that enables administrators to remotely manage and control servers through the UCS fabric interconnect, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to sensitive visual data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of encryption mechanisms within the KVM video data transmission pathway, which directly violates fundamental security principles outlined in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework under CWE-310. The lack of encryption allows attackers positioned within the network to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by simply sniffing network traffic or inserting malicious packets into the communication stream between the client and server components. This unencrypted transmission exposes sensitive visual information including login screens, passwords, system configurations, and other potentially confidential data that would normally be protected through secure communication channels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate the KVM session in real-time, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Attackers can not only observe administrative activities but also inject malicious commands or modify the display content, which could result in unauthorized system changes, credential theft, or the execution of malicious code through the compromised KVM interface. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where UCS systems are deployed for data center management, as it undermines the security controls that organizations rely upon to protect their critical infrastructure from unauthorized access.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a significant risk within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically relating to privilege escalation and credential access techniques that leverage unencrypted communication channels. The attack surface is particularly concerning for organizations implementing centralized management systems, as the compromised KVM functionality can serve as a gateway for broader network infiltration. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate UCS management traffic, deployment of network monitoring tools to detect anomalous KVM traffic patterns, and consideration of alternative management protocols that provide end-to-end encryption for remote administration tasks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of cryptographic protection for all remote management interfaces and serves as a reminder that even administrative tools must implement proper security controls to prevent unauthorized access to critical system information and operations.