CVE-2015-0701 in UCS Central Software
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco UCS Central Software 1.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted HTTP request, aka Bug ID CSCut46961.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2024
Cisco UCS Central Software version 1.2 and earlier contains a critical command injection vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation within the software's HTTP request processing mechanism, allowing malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code through specially crafted HTTP requests. The flaw represents a severe security weakness that directly violates the principle of input sanitization and proper request handling. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-77 as a command injection flaw, which occurs when untrusted data is passed to an interpreter as part of a command, leading to execution of unintended commands. This issue affects the centralized management capabilities of Cisco UCS environments and represents a significant threat to data center security infrastructure. The attack vector is remote and requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the network. The vulnerability impacts the core functionality of UCS Central software, which is designed to manage and monitor Cisco Unified Computing System environments across multiple data centers. When exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to gain full control over the affected system, potentially leading to complete compromise of the data center management infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2015-0701 involves crafting malicious HTTP requests that contain command injection payloads. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected service account, typically running with elevated permissions. The vulnerability exists in the software's HTTP processing layer where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being used in system commands. This allows attackers to inject shell commands that are then executed by the system. The attack scenario follows typical command injection patterns where input validation is bypassed, enabling the execution of malicious payloads. The vulnerability can be exploited through various HTTP methods and parameters, making it difficult to defend against through simple network filtering. The attack requires no special privileges or authentication, as the vulnerability exists in the software's web interface processing logic. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries use command injection to execute malicious code. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the UCS Central management system, potentially allowing attackers to modify configurations, steal sensitive data, or disrupt services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate command execution to encompass broader security implications for enterprise data center environments. Organizations using affected Cisco UCS Central software face significant risk of unauthorized access to their data center management infrastructure, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to sensitive configuration data, network monitoring information, and management credentials stored within the system. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access points within the data center environment, creating potential for long-term surveillance and further attacks. The impact on business continuity is substantial, as the compromise of UCS Central software can disrupt data center operations and potentially affect multiple systems managed by the central platform. Organizations may experience data breaches, unauthorized system modifications, and potential service disruptions. The vulnerability also affects compliance requirements, as it creates audit trail gaps and potential regulatory violations. Security teams face increased operational burden due to the need for emergency patching, system monitoring, and potential incident response activities. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target affected systems from anywhere on the internet, increasing the attack surface and threat landscape.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address CVE-2015-0701. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to Cisco UCS Central Software version 1.3 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address the command injection vulnerability. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate the UCS Central management systems from general network traffic, reducing potential attack vectors. Access controls should be strengthened through proper authentication mechanisms and privilege management to limit exposure. Regular security monitoring should be deployed to detect unusual HTTP request patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Network intrusion detection systems should be configured to identify and block malicious HTTP requests containing command injection patterns. Input validation should be enhanced at all system interfaces to prevent injection attacks. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected software across the enterprise. Patch management procedures should be strengthened to ensure rapid deployment of security updates. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious HTTP requests before they reach the vulnerable application. The mitigation approach should follow the principle of least privilege, ensuring that the UCS Central software operates with minimal necessary permissions. Regular security audits should be conducted to verify that mitigation measures remain effective against evolving threats. Incident response procedures should be updated to include specific protocols for handling command injection vulnerabilities in management systems. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-77 and its exploitation pattern align with common security frameworks that emphasize input validation and proper error handling in web applications.