CVE-2014-7999 in Meraki
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco-Meraki MS, MR, and MX devices with firmware before 2014-09-24 allow remote authenticated users to install arbitrary firmware by leveraging unspecified HTTP handler access on the local network, aka Cisco-Meraki defect ID 00478565.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7999 affects Cisco Meraki network devices including MS switches, MR wireless access points, and MX security appliances. This security flaw resides in the firmware versions prior to the 2014-09-24 release and represents a critical authorization bypass vulnerability that allows remote authenticated attackers to perform unauthorized firmware installation. The vulnerability stems from an unspecified HTTP handler that provides access within the local network, creating an attack vector that can be exploited from outside the network perimeter. This weakness enables attackers who have already gained authentication credentials to escalate their privileges and install malicious firmware on the affected devices, potentially compromising the entire network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a flaw in the device's HTTP handler functionality that fails to properly validate access controls for firmware update operations. When an authenticated user accesses the device's local network interface, they can leverage this unspecified HTTP handler to initiate firmware installation processes without proper authorization checks. This issue falls under CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically involving improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized firmware modification. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient authorization validation where the system fails to properly verify that the requesting user has appropriate privileges to perform firmware installation operations. The flaw represents a privilege escalation vulnerability that can be exploited through the local network interface, making it particularly dangerous as it requires only authentication credentials rather than physical access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized firmware installation, creating significant risks for network security and integrity. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can install malicious firmware that could enable persistent backdoors, modify network traffic routing, disable security features, or establish unauthorized network access points. This capability allows for complete compromise of the affected network devices, potentially leading to widespread network disruption, data exfiltration, or unauthorized access to sensitive network resources. The vulnerability affects enterprise network infrastructure that typically requires high availability and security assurance, making its exploitation particularly damaging. Organizations relying on Cisco Meraki devices for their network infrastructure face potential compromise of their entire network security posture, as these devices often serve as core network components that control traffic flow and security policies.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates to version 2014-09-24 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address the unauthorized firmware installation flaw. Network administrators should implement strict access control measures including network segmentation to limit local network access to authorized personnel only, and should monitor network traffic for suspicious firmware update activities. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1072 Software Deployment Tools, where adversaries leverage legitimate system tools to install malicious software. Organizations should also implement network monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized firmware modification attempts and establish regular security audits of network device configurations. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary local network services, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and maintaining detailed logs of all firmware-related activities for forensic analysis. Given the nature of the vulnerability, security teams should also consider implementing network access control lists and firewall rules to restrict access to device management interfaces, particularly those that expose HTTP handlers capable of firmware installation operations.