CVE-2013-3466 in Secure Access Control System
Summary
by MITRE
The EAP-FAST authentication module in Cisco Secure Access Control Server (ACS) 4.x before 4.2.1.15.11, when a RADIUS server configuration is enabled, does not properly parse user identities, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via crafted EAP-FAST packets, aka Bug ID CSCui57636.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3466 represents a critical command execution flaw within Cisco Secure Access Control Server version 4.2.1.15.11 and earlier releases. This issue specifically affects the EAP-FAST authentication module, which is a critical component in network access control systems that provides secure authentication for wireless and wired network connections. The vulnerability stems from improper parsing of user identities within the RADIUS server configuration, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through crafted EAP-FAST packets that bypass normal authentication mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests in the way the Cisco ACS processes EAP-FAST packets containing user identity information. When the system receives these packets, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the identity data before processing, allowing attackers to inject malicious commands within the identity fields. This improper input validation creates a classic command injection vulnerability that falls under CWE-77, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in commands. The vulnerability exists because the system does not adequately filter or escape special characters that could be interpreted as command sequences, enabling an attacker to manipulate the authentication process and execute arbitrary code on the affected server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching within network security infrastructure. Remote attackers who can send crafted EAP-FAST packets to the vulnerable Cisco ACS system can potentially gain full administrative control over the authentication server, which serves as a central point for network access control. This compromise allows attackers to modify user access policies, create unauthorized accounts, and potentially pivot to other systems within the network. The vulnerability affects the core authentication infrastructure, making it particularly dangerous as it undermines the fundamental security model of the network access control system. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 for valid accounts and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute commands through legitimate authentication channels.
Organizations using affected Cisco ACS versions face significant risk of unauthorized network access and potential data breaches when this vulnerability remains unpatched. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the network or the ability to position themselves within the local network segment. The attack can be executed from any location where the attacker can send EAP-FAST packets to the vulnerable server, making it particularly concerning for wireless network environments where such packets might be intercepted or injected. Security professionals should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-supplied patches, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in authentication systems and the potential catastrophic consequences when such validation is inadequate in security-critical components of network infrastructure.