CVE-2015-0580 in Secure Access Control System
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the ACS View reporting interface pages in Cisco Secure Access Control System (ACS) before 5.5 patch 7 allow remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary SQL commands via crafted HTTPS requests, aka Bug ID CSCuq79027.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2015-0580 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in Cisco Secure Access Control System (ACS) versions prior to 5.5 patch 7, specifically affecting the ACS View reporting interface pages. This vulnerability resides within the web-based administrative interface that allows network administrators to generate and view various reports related to access control and authentication activities. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the reporting module, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through specially crafted HTTPS requests. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated access, meaning an attacker who has already gained administrative credentials can exploit this weakness to execute unauthorized database operations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is directly incorporated into SQL command construction without proper escaping or parameterization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the ACS View reporting interface where administrators can generate reports based on various criteria and parameters. When these parameters are not properly sanitized, attackers can inject malicious SQL payloads that get executed within the database context. The vulnerability affects the reporting functionality that processes user inputs for filtering and generating reports, allowing an authenticated administrator to manipulate the underlying database queries. This creates a privilege escalation scenario where the attacker can potentially extract sensitive information, modify database records, or even execute administrative commands through the database layer. The vulnerability is classified as a remote attack vector since the malicious requests can be sent over HTTPS, making it difficult to detect through network monitoring alone. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts as a means of gaining access, and T1041 which addresses data extraction through database access.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0580 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the core authentication and authorization mechanisms of the Cisco Secure Access Control System. An attacker could potentially modify user accounts, access control policies, or even extract authentication credentials stored within the database. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire access control infrastructure, as the reporting interface is often used to monitor security events and user activities. Organizations relying on Cisco ACS for network access control and authentication would face significant risk if this vulnerability were exploited, potentially leading to unauthorized network access, privilege escalation, and complete compromise of the access control environment. The impact is particularly severe because it affects the administrative interface that is frequently used for security monitoring and reporting, making it a high-value target for attackers seeking persistent access. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation in web applications and the need for proper parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks, as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST guidelines for secure coding practices.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2015-0580 primarily involves applying the official Cisco patch 5.5 patch 7 or later versions that address the SQL injection vulnerability in the ACS View reporting interface. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit administrative access to the ACS system, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the administrative interface. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious requests, conducting regular security assessments of the ACS environment, and monitoring for unusual database activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network administrators should also ensure that all administrative accounts are protected with strong authentication mechanisms including multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of unauthorized access. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping network security infrastructure up to date with the latest security patches and following security best practices for web application development and deployment. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect and alert on potential SQL injection attempts and other database-related attacks.