CVE-2015-4186 in Virtualization Experience Client 6215 Servies
Summary
by MITRE
The diagnostics subsystem in the administrative web interface on Cisco Virtualization Experience (aka VXC) Client 6215 devices with firmware 11.2(27.4) allows local users to gain privileges for OS command execution via a crafted option value, aka Bug ID CSCug54412.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2015-4186 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the diagnostics subsystem of Cisco Virtualization Experience Client devices running firmware version 11.2(27.4). This vulnerability exists within the administrative web interface component that governs the device's diagnostic functionalities, specifically affecting the 6215 series devices that are part of Cisco's virtualization infrastructure solutions. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the command processing mechanism, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate system behavior through carefully crafted parameter values. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects the administrative web interface, which typically requires elevated privileges to access, yet allows local users to exploit a weakness that bypasses normal access controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of option values within the diagnostics subsystem's web interface. When a local user submits a specially crafted option parameter, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before processing it within the operating system context. This improper input handling creates a command injection vulnerability where user-supplied data is interpreted as executable commands rather than benign parameters. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to execute arbitrary OS commands with the privileges of the web interface process, which typically operates with elevated permissions. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability that can be categorized under CWE-77 and CWE-89, where untrusted data flows directly into command execution contexts without proper sanitization or encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over the device's operating system and underlying virtualization infrastructure. Local users who can access the administrative web interface can execute commands that may include system reconnaissance, data exfiltration, modification of critical configuration files, or even installation of persistent backdoors. The implications are particularly severe in network infrastructure environments where these devices serve as core components of virtualization platforms, potentially allowing attackers to compromise entire virtualized network segments. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of the device by enabling unauthorized privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 for locally executed commands and T1566 for credential access through exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4186 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Cisco to address the root cause of the vulnerability, as the company has likely released patches specifically targeting this command injection flaw. Network administrators should also implement strict access controls to limit local user access to the administrative web interface, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Additional protective measures include monitoring web interface access logs for suspicious parameter values, implementing network segmentation to isolate critical virtualization infrastructure, and conducting regular security assessments of administrative interfaces. The vulnerability underscores the importance of input validation and proper command execution handling in web applications, particularly in enterprise network devices where administrative interfaces must maintain strict security boundaries to prevent privilege escalation attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive incident response procedures to address potential compromise scenarios.