CVE-2015-4183 in UCS Central Software
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco UCS Central Software 1.2(1a) allows local users to gain privileges for OS command execution via a crafted CLI parameter, aka Bug ID CSCut32795.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2022
Cisco UCS Central Software version 1.2(1a) contains a privilege escalation vulnerability that enables local attackers to execute arbitrary operating system commands through manipulation of command line interface parameters. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that undermines the software's access control mechanisms and could potentially allow unauthorized users to elevate their privileges from standard user level to administrative access. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the CLI processing functionality, creating a path for malicious parameter injection that bypasses normal authorization checks. The vulnerability specifically affects the software's command line interface component where user-supplied parameters are not properly validated before being processed, allowing attackers to craft malicious inputs that trigger unintended system behavior. This flaw operates under the weakness category of CWE-77 and falls into the ATT&CK technique T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The vulnerability exists in the software's handling of command line arguments where the system fails to properly sanitize user input before executing operations, creating a potential code injection vector. Attackers can exploit this by carefully crafting CLI parameters that, when processed by the software, result in arbitrary command execution with elevated privileges. The impact extends beyond simple command execution as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms being established. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only local access to the system, meaning that any user with access to the command line interface could potentially leverage this flaw. This local privilege escalation vulnerability affects Cisco UCS Central Software 1.2(1a) and represents a significant risk to data center infrastructure security. The software's command line interface processes user inputs without adequate validation, allowing malicious parameter manipulation to bypass normal access controls and execute arbitrary OS commands. This vulnerability directly violates security principles of input validation and privilege separation, creating a dangerous pathway for unauthorized system access. Organizations using this software version face potential exposure to attackers who may already have local access to the system, potentially through legitimate administrative access or other compromise vectors. The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive infrastructure data. Remediation efforts should focus on applying Cisco's official security patches and updates, which typically address the input validation deficiencies in the CLI processing module. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unusual command line activity can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider network segmentation and principle of least privilege enforcement to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in security-critical software components and highlights the risks associated with insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other software components and ensure comprehensive security coverage across their infrastructure. This vulnerability type is commonly addressed through secure coding practices and adherence to security standards that emphasize input validation and privilege separation controls. The security implications extend beyond immediate exploitation to potential long-term system compromise and data integrity violations.