CVE-2014-7993 in Meraki
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco-Meraki MS, MR, and MX devices with firmware before 2014-09-24 allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive credential information by leveraging unspecified HTTP handler access on the local network, aka Cisco-Meraki defect ID 00302012.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7993 affects Cisco Meraki network devices including MS switches, MR wireless access points, and MX security appliances. This flaw resides in the firmware versions prior to the 2014-09-24 release and represents a critical security weakness that enables remote attackers to extract sensitive credential information from devices within the local network. The vulnerability stems from unspecified HTTP handler access that provides unauthorized access to credential storage mechanisms within these network appliances. The affected devices operate with default configurations that fail to properly restrict access to internal administrative interfaces, creating a pathway for malicious actors to harvest authentication credentials without requiring physical access or prior authentication.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper access control mechanisms within the device's web server implementation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending specially crafted HTTP requests to specific endpoints within the device's local network interface, bypassing normal authentication procedures. This flaw aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control vulnerabilities in software systems. The HTTP handlers in question likely provide administrative functions that should only be accessible to authorized personnel with proper authentication credentials. However, the vulnerability allows attackers to access these handlers without proper authorization, effectively creating a backdoor for credential extraction.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized administrative access to network infrastructure. Once credentials are obtained, attackers can modify network configurations, implement malicious policies, or establish persistent access points within the network environment. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials use for maintaining access. The affected Meraki devices serve as critical network infrastructure components, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could allow attackers to compromise entire network segments. Network administrators face significant risk of unauthorized access to core network services, potentially leading to complete network compromise and data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates to versions released after September 24, 2014, which contain the necessary access control fixes. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices and ensure that administrative interfaces are only accessible from trusted network segments. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual HTTP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing network access control lists and restricting HTTP handler access to specific IP addresses can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any devices running vulnerable firmware versions and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and implementing proper network access controls to prevent unauthorized access to critical infrastructure components.