CVE-2012-4116 in Unified Computing System
Summary
by MITRE
The fabric-interconnect component in Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) does not encrypt KVM media traffic, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information, and consequently complete the authentication process for a server connection, by sniffing the network, aka Bug ID CSCtr72970.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4116 affects the fabric-interconnect component within Cisco Unified Computing System environments, representing a significant security weakness in the management and monitoring infrastructure of enterprise data centers. This flaw specifically impacts the encryption of KVM media traffic, which serves as a critical communication channel for remote server management and administration activities. The fabric-interconnect acts as a central management point for UCS domains, handling various administrative protocols and providing access to server consoles, storage, and network configurations through its KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) capabilities. When KVM media traffic lacks proper encryption, it exposes sensitive operational data to interception by unauthorized network entities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient cryptographic protection mechanisms within the fabric-interconnect's handling of KVM sessions. KVM media traffic typically includes authentication credentials, session tokens, and control commands that are essential for remote server administration. Without encryption, this traffic flows in plaintext across the network, making it susceptible to passive network monitoring and packet capture techniques. Attackers can exploit this weakness by positioning themselves within the network to capture traffic between the management interface and target servers, allowing them to reconstruct authentication sequences and potentially establish unauthorized administrative access to managed systems. The vulnerability specifically enables attackers to complete the authentication process for server connections through network sniffing activities, bypassing normal security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4116 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of server management operations within Cisco UCS environments. Organizations utilizing this technology face elevated risks of unauthorized administrative access, potential data breaches, and complete compromise of server infrastructure. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where UCS fabric-interconnect components manage critical enterprise servers, as attackers could gain access to sensitive system configurations, user credentials, and operational data. This weakness undermines the security posture of data centers by allowing remote attackers to establish unauthorized sessions without requiring physical access or additional credentials beyond what can be captured through network monitoring. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal technical expertise to execute, making it accessible to a broad range of threat actors.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, beginning with immediate deployment of Cisco's security patches and updates that address the encryption weakness in fabric-interconnect components. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit exposure of management traffic to authorized personnel only, while implementing network monitoring solutions capable of detecting and alerting on suspicious KVM traffic patterns. The implementation of additional encryption mechanisms for management protocols, such as VPN tunneling for remote access, can provide supplementary protection against similar vulnerabilities. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability relates to CWE-310: Cryptographic Issues, specifically addressing weak cryptographic algorithms and missing encryption mechanisms in network communication protocols. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access through network sniffing and privilege escalation via unauthorized administrative access, demonstrating how fundamental infrastructure weaknesses can enable broader compromise scenarios within enterprise environments.