CVE-2013-6975 in NX-OS
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the command-line interface in Cisco NX-OS 6.2(2a) and earlier allows local users to read arbitrary files via unspecified input, aka Bug ID CSCul05217.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-6975 represents a directory traversal flaw within the command-line interface of Cisco NX-OS software versions 6.2(2a) and earlier. This issue specifically affects network infrastructure devices running Cisco NX-OS operating system, which are commonly deployed in enterprise data centers and network core environments. The vulnerability resides in the command-line interface component that processes user input, creating a potential attack vector for local adversaries who possess access to the system. The bug ID CSCul05217 indicates this was tracked internally by Cisco as a significant security concern requiring immediate attention.
The technical nature of this directory traversal vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the command-line interface processing logic. When local users provide malicious input to the CLI, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the input parameters, allowing attackers to manipulate file access paths. This weakness enables an attacker to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access arbitrary files on the system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as a directory traversal attack, where attackers can exploit insufficient restrictions on file access to read sensitive system files. The flaw essentially permits path traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that bypass normal file access controls, exposing the underlying operating system file structure to unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as local attackers with system access can potentially read sensitive configuration files, system logs, and other critical data that may contain authentication credentials, network topology information, or other confidential details. In enterprise network environments where Cisco NX-OS devices serve as core infrastructure components, this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain intelligence about network architecture, potentially leading to further exploitation attempts. The local privilege requirement means that an attacker must first establish a foothold on the system, but once achieved, the vulnerability provides significant access to system resources that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-6975 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Cisco NX-OS devices to versions that address the directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict access controls and monitoring of CLI access to minimize the attack surface for local privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers could use the CLI to execute malicious commands that exploit the traversal vulnerability. Network administrators should also deploy comprehensive logging and monitoring solutions to detect suspicious CLI activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls for CLI interfaces and regular security assessments of network infrastructure components can help reduce the risk exposure from such vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include verifying that patched systems properly handle input validation and that no unauthorized access paths remain accessible through the command-line interface components.