CVE-2013-3400 in NX-OS
Summary
by MITRE
The license-installation module in Cisco NX-OS on Nexus 1000V devices allows local users to execute arbitrary commands via crafted "install license" arguments, aka Bug ID CSCuh30824.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3400 represents a critical command injection flaw within the license-installation module of Cisco NX-OS software running on Nexus 1000V virtual switch devices. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the software's license installation process, creating an exploitable condition that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges. The flaw specifically manifests when the system processes crafted arguments during the license installation procedure, enabling malicious actors to inject and execute unauthorized commands on the affected system.
This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-77, which specifically addresses Command Injection flaws in software systems. The weakness occurs due to the improper handling of user-supplied input within the command execution context, where the system directly incorporates unvalidated parameters into system commands without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms. The attack vector is local in nature, meaning that an attacker must already have access to the system with at least user-level privileges to exploit this vulnerability, though the successful exploitation results in arbitrary command execution capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary code on the affected Nexus 1000V devices, potentially leading to complete system compromise. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to install malicious software, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The Nexus 1000V devices serve as virtual switches in data center environments, making them critical components of network security infrastructure, and their compromise could result in widespread network disruption and unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.001 sub-technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of commands through the command line interface. The vulnerability also maps to T1548.001 for Abuse of System Level Permissions, as successful exploitation would likely result in privilege escalation. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability affects the network infrastructure layer and could potentially be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain, particularly in environments where these devices are used as part of virtualized network deployments.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the official Cisco security patches and updates released to address this specific vulnerability. Organizations should prioritize patching all affected Nexus 1000V devices as soon as possible, following Cisco's security advisory guidance and implementing proper access controls to limit local user privileges. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous command execution patterns, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in network infrastructure components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in security-critical system modules and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of all software components handling user input.