CVE-2015-6370 in Firepower Extensible Operating System
Summary
by MITRE
The Management I/O (MIO) component in Cisco Firepower Extensible Operating System 1.1(1.160) on Firepower 9000 devices allows local users to execute arbitrary OS commands as root via crafted CLI input, aka Bug ID CSCux10578.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6370 resides within the Management I/O component of Cisco Firepower Extensible Operating System version 1.1(1.160) running on Firepower 9000 series devices. This represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw that enables authenticated local users to execute arbitrary operating system commands with root privileges. The vulnerability specifically affects the command line interface processing mechanism where insufficient input validation allows maliciously crafted CLI commands to bypass normal security restrictions and gain elevated system access. The issue stems from improper sanitization of user input within the management interface, creating a pathway for command injection attacks that can be exploited by users who already possess local access to the device.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic command injection flaw that aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-88 categories, where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into system commands without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific CLI input sequences that manipulate the underlying command execution pipeline to run unauthorized system commands. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the local user level, meaning that any individual with legitimate access to the device's management interface can potentially escalate their privileges to root access. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor input validation practices within the Cisco Firepower operating system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected Firepower 9000 device. Once root access is obtained, malicious actors can modify system configurations, install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, and potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The Firepower 9000 series devices are typically deployed as critical network security appliances that monitor and control network traffic, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to enterprise networks. This vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad by compromising both confidentiality and integrity, as unauthorized parties can access sensitive security configurations and modify system behavior. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires only local access, which means attackers who have already gained physical or network access to the device can immediately escalate their privileges without additional attack surfaces.
Cisco has addressed this vulnerability through security updates and patches that implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the MIO component. Organizations should immediately apply the relevant security patches to all affected Firepower 9000 devices running the vulnerable operating system version. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring controls to detect suspicious CLI activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in network security appliances, as highlighted by ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and command execution. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network infrastructure components, as this type of flaw can potentially exist in other parts of the system architecture where user input is processed without proper sanitization.