CVE-2015-0755 in AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client
Summary
by MITRE
The Posture module for Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE), as distributed in Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client 4.0(64), allows local users to gain privileges via unspecified commands, aka Bug ID CSCut05797.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0755 affects the Posture module within Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and specifically impacts the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client version 4.0(64). This security flaw represents a local privilege escalation vulnerability that enables authenticated local users to elevate their privileges on the affected system. The issue resides within the Posture module's handling of unspecified commands, creating a potential pathway for attackers who already have local access to escalate their privileges and gain elevated system rights. The vulnerability was catalogued under Bug ID CSCut05797, indicating it was tracked within Cisco's internal bug tracking system. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages existing local access to create a more severe security impact, essentially allowing a user who can already interact with the system to gain additional privileges that could potentially lead to complete system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper privilege handling within the Posture module of the Cisco ISE system. When local users execute specific commands through the AnyConnect client, the system fails to properly validate or restrict the privileges associated with these operations. This flaw typically manifests as a weakness in the command processing logic where the system does not adequately verify the privilege level required for certain operations or does not properly enforce privilege boundaries. The unspecified commands mentioned in the CVE description suggest that the vulnerability may be triggered through multiple different command sequences or execution paths within the Posture module, making it potentially more difficult to fully enumerate and patch. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability would fall under CWE-269: "Improper Privilege Management" or potentially CWE-78: "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in OS Command" depending on the exact implementation details of the command processing mechanism.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0755 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can enable attackers to gain elevated system access that could lead to complete system compromise. Once a local user achieves privilege escalation through this vulnerability, they could potentially access sensitive system files, modify system configurations, install malicious software, or exfiltrate data from the network. The vulnerability affects organizations using Cisco ISE for network access control and identity management, which typically includes critical network infrastructure and security systems. This could potentially allow an attacker with local access to move laterally within the network or gain access to additional systems that were previously protected by the ISE's security controls. The impact is particularly severe for organizations that rely heavily on ISE for network access control, as the compromised system could serve as a foothold for broader network infiltration.
Organizations should implement several mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability effectively. The primary recommendation involves applying the official Cisco security patches and updates released to address this specific privilege escalation flaw in the Posture module. Network administrators should ensure that all instances of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client are updated to versions that contain the necessary fixes for CVE-2015-0755. Additionally, implementing least privilege principles and restricting local access to systems running ISE can significantly reduce the attack surface for this type of vulnerability. System monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual privilege escalation activities or unauthorized command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability would map to T1068: "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and potentially T1078: "Valid Accounts" since the exploitation requires local access to begin with. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting, privilege management tools, and comprehensive audit logging to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and security scanning should include checks for this specific vulnerability to ensure proper remediation across all affected systems.