CVE-2015-4182 in Identity Services Engine
Summary
by MITRE
The administrative web interface in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) before 1.3 allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended access restrictions, and obtain sensitive information or change settings, via unspecified vectors, aka Bug ID CSCui72087.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4182 affects Cisco Identity Services Engine version 1.3 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw in the administrative web interface design. This issue represents a privilege escalation and access control bypass vulnerability that undermines the fundamental security model of the platform. The vulnerability allows authenticated users to circumvent intended access restrictions, which directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a significant weakness in the authorization mechanisms implemented within the system.
The technical flaw manifests through unspecified vectors within the administrative web interface that enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information and system configuration capabilities. This vulnerability specifically targets the authorization controls that should prevent authenticated users from accessing resources beyond their designated permissions. The flaw operates at the application layer, leveraging weaknesses in the interface's permission checking mechanisms that fail to properly validate user privileges before granting access to administrative functions. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a direct violation of the security principle that authenticated users should only access resources they are explicitly authorized to use.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it allows attackers to obtain sensitive information that may include user credentials, network configurations, policy settings, and other confidential data. Additionally, the ability to change system settings provides attackers with potential for further compromise, including the modification of security policies, creation of backdoor access points, or disruption of network services. This vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate their privileges within the network infrastructure, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to protected network resources. The implications extend beyond simple information disclosure, as the ability to modify settings creates opportunities for persistent threats and long-term network infiltration.
Organizations utilizing Cisco ISE versions prior to 1.3 should immediately implement mitigations including mandatory firmware updates to version 1.3 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit exposure, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual administrative activity patterns. The implementation of additional authentication controls such as multi-factor authentication can provide defense in depth, while regular security audits should verify that access controls are properly enforced. Security teams should also consider implementing network access control policies that limit administrative access to trusted networks and require explicit approval for administrative activities. This vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security measures to prevent exploitation and maintain network integrity.