CVE-2015-0739 in FireSIGHT
Summary
by MITRE
The Lights-Out Management (LOM) implementation in Cisco FireSIGHT System Software 5.3.0 on Sourcefire 3D Sensor devices allows remote authenticated users to perform arbitrary Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) file uploads via unspecified vectors, aka Bug ID CSCus87938.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-0739 represents a critical security flaw within the Lights-Out Management implementation of Cisco FireSIGHT System Software version 5.3.0 running on Sourcefire 3D Sensor devices. This issue specifically affects the Baseboard Management Controller functionality that enables remote management and monitoring of hardware components. The vulnerability permits authenticated attackers to upload arbitrary files to the BMC subsystem, which constitutes a significant escalation of privileges and potential attack surface expansion. The affected system operates within network security infrastructure where unauthorized file uploads could compromise the integrity of the entire security monitoring ecosystem.
The technical implementation flaw stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the BMC file upload functionality. While the exact unspecified vectors remain documented in Cisco's advisory, the vulnerability manifests through improper sanitization of file upload requests that bypass normal security controls. This allows an attacker who has already established authentication credentials to manipulate the BMC subsystem through crafted file upload operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and CWE-434, which addresses insecure file upload handling. The root cause lies in the failure to properly validate file types, sizes, and content within the BMC file handling pipeline, creating an opportunity for arbitrary code execution or system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to network security infrastructure deployed in enterprise and critical infrastructure environments. The Sourcefire 3D Sensor devices operate as core components in network intrusion detection and prevention systems, making them attractive targets for adversaries seeking persistent access or system compromise. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially gain deeper system access, modify security policies, or establish backdoor access points that remain undetected by normal security monitoring. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise to include potential data exfiltration, network reconnaissance, and disruption of security operations. This vulnerability represents a significant concern for organizations that rely on FireSIGHT systems for network protection, as it undermines the integrity of the security monitoring infrastructure itself.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0739 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Cisco, specifically addressing the Lights-Out Management implementation in FireSIGHT System Software 5.3.0. Organizations must ensure that all Sourcefire 3D Sensor devices are updated to patched versions that address the BMC file upload vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit the scope of potential exploitation, particularly restricting network access to BMC management interfaces. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file upload patterns or unauthorized BMC access attempts, leveraging the ATT&CK framework's T1078.004 technique for legitimate credentials usage. Additionally, organizations should implement principle of least privilege controls for BMC access, ensuring that only authorized personnel with legitimate operational needs can access these management interfaces. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network security components and prevent exploitation of related vulnerabilities.