CVE-2015-0666 in Prime Data Center Network Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the fmserver servlet in Cisco Prime Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) before 7.1(1) allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a crafted pathname, aka Bug ID CSCus00241.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2026
The directory traversal vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0666 affects Cisco Prime Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) versions prior to 7.1(1) and specifically targets the fmserver servlet component. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the application's file handling mechanisms that enables unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The vulnerability resides within the way the fmserver servlet processes user-supplied pathnames, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to manipulate file access requests and gain access to files outside the intended directory structure. The issue was documented under Bug ID CSCus00241 and demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and file access control within the DCNM platform.
This vulnerability operates through a classic directory traversal attack vector where remote attackers can craft malicious pathname requests to access files that should normally be restricted. The technical flaw stems from insufficient sanitization of user input passed to the file system operations within the fmserver servlet, allowing attackers to use sequences such as "../" to navigate upward through the directory hierarchy. When processing these crafted requests, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the input paths, resulting in the unintended exposure of system files, configuration data, and potentially sensitive information that could be stored within the application's file system. The vulnerability specifically affects the file management capabilities of the DCNM platform and can be exploited without authentication, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0666 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can potentially access critical system files, configuration databases, and sensitive operational data that could reveal network topology, device credentials, and other confidential information. The exposure of such data could facilitate further attacks within the network infrastructure, including privilege escalation and lateral movement attacks. Organizations using affected DCNM versions face significant risk of data breaches and potential network disruption, as the vulnerability allows for arbitrary file reading that could include application logs, database files, and system configuration details. This weakness directly violates security principles related to least privilege and proper access control, creating opportunities for attackers to gather intelligence for more sophisticated attacks.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) as attackers can use the vulnerability to discover and exfiltrate sensitive files. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the vendor-provided security patches for DCNM version 7.1(1) and later, implementing network segmentation to limit access to the affected system, and conducting thorough vulnerability assessments of their network management infrastructure. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary file access functionality, implementing proper input validation at all application interfaces, and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper application security testing to prevent similar flaws in network infrastructure management systems.