CVE-2014-7989 in B420 M3
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Unified Computing System on B-Series blade servers allows local users to gain shell privileges via a crafted (1) ping6 or (2) traceroute6 command, aka Bug ID CSCuq38176.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7989 affects Cisco Unified Computing System implementations running on B-Series blade servers, representing a significant local privilege escalation flaw that could be exploited by malicious users with existing system access. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of network diagnostic commands within the system's command processing framework, creating a pathway for attackers to escalate their privileges from standard user level to root shell access. The flaw exists in the way the system processes certain IPv6 network diagnostic commands, particularly ping6 and traceroute6, which are commonly used for network troubleshooting and validation purposes.
The technical mechanism underlying this vulnerability involves improper input validation and command execution handling within the Cisco UCS management interface. When a local user executes either the ping6 or traceroute6 command with specially crafted parameters, the system fails to properly sanitize the input before processing it through the underlying shell execution engine. This input sanitization failure creates a command injection vulnerability that allows the attacker to manipulate the execution flow of the system's network diagnostic utilities. The vulnerability is classified as a local privilege escalation issue, meaning that an attacker must first have legitimate access to the system as a local user, but once exploited, can gain full administrative privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected B-Series blade servers within the Cisco UCS environment. This level of access enables malicious actors to modify system configurations, install unauthorized software, access sensitive data, and potentially use the compromised servers as launch points for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the management and control plane of the Cisco UCS system, which could lead to disruption of critical network services and potential data breaches. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-78: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command, which is a well-documented weakness in command injection scenarios, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, highlighting the specific threat vector of using system utilities for gaining elevated access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of security patches provided by Cisco, as well as network segmentation and access control measures to limit local user privileges where possible. Organizations should implement the official Cisco security advisories and patches that address the command injection flaws in the ping6 and traceroute6 utilities. Additionally, monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The recommended approach includes disabling or restricting execution of these diagnostic commands when not actively needed for troubleshooting, implementing strict input validation controls, and maintaining comprehensive audit logs of command execution activities. Security teams should also consider implementing principle of least privilege models to minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, ensuring that local user accounts have only the minimal permissions necessary for their operational requirements.