CVE-2013-5487 in Prime Data Center Network Manager
Summary
by MITRE
DCNM-SAN Server in Cisco Prime Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) before 6.2(1) allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via unspecified vectors, aka Bug ID CSCue77029.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5487 affects the DCNM-SAN Server component within Cisco Prime Data Center Network Manager version 6.1 and earlier. This critical security flaw enables remote attackers to perform arbitrary file read operations without proper authentication or authorization, representing a significant escalation in attack surface for organizations utilizing Cisco's data center network management solutions. The vulnerability was documented under Bug ID CSCue77029 and specifically impacts the server-side functionality responsible for managing SAN (Storage Area Network) configurations within the broader DCNM framework.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the DCNM-SAN Server's file handling processes. Attackers can exploit unspecified vectors to manipulate file access requests and retrieve sensitive data from the underlying file system. This weakness likely resides in how the server processes file path parameters or handles user requests for configuration data, allowing malicious actors to traverse file system boundaries and access files that should remain restricted. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means attackers can leverage this flaw from external networks without requiring physical access or local system credentials.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-5487 extends beyond simple data exfiltration, as the compromised system could potentially expose critical network configuration files, authentication credentials, system logs, and other sensitive operational data. Organizations managing data center networks through Cisco Prime DCNM would face significant risk of exposure to unauthorized parties who could gain insights into network topology, device configurations, and potentially establish persistence within their infrastructure. This vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and access control, undermining the integrity of the network management system's security model. The potential for lateral movement within the network increases significantly once attackers gain access to this information, as they could use the retrieved data to plan more sophisticated attacks against other network components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching to Cisco DCNM version 6.2(1) or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to DCNM servers and establish strict firewall rules that restrict unnecessary communication with the affected system. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for unusual file access patterns, implementing intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts, and conducting comprehensive security audits of network management infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limiting of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and follows attack patterns consistent with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and credential access techniques, specifically targeting the T1078 and T1566 tactics. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other network management components.