CVE-2015-6395 in Prime Service Catalog
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Prime Service Catalog 10.0, 10.0(R2), 10.1, and 11.0 does not properly restrict access to web pages, which allows remote attackers to modify the configuration via a direct request, aka Bug ID CSCuw48188.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2022
Cisco Prime Service Catalog versions 10.0, 10.0(R2), 10.1, and 11.0 contain a critical access control vulnerability that stems from improper authorization mechanisms within the web application framework. This flaw exists in the application's permission system where authenticated users can bypass intended access restrictions through direct HTTP requests to administrative endpoints. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to escalate their privileges and modify critical system configuration parameters without proper authentication or authorization checks. The affected versions demonstrate a clear breakdown in the principle of least privilege, where the application fails to validate whether a user has appropriate permissions before processing sensitive operations. This issue is particularly concerning as it affects multiple major releases of the Cisco Prime Service Catalog platform, indicating a persistent flaw in the access control implementation. The vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate service catalog configurations, potentially leading to unauthorized changes in service delivery, user access controls, or system behavior.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting direct HTTP requests to administrative URLs within the Prime Service Catalog interface. Attackers can bypass the normal user interface authorization checks by directly accessing backend endpoints that should only be accessible to administrators or privileged users. This type of flaw typically occurs when the application relies on client-side validation or assumes that all requests come from authenticated sessions without proper server-side verification. The vulnerability is classified as a weak access control issue that falls under CWE-285, which specifically addresses improper authorization in software applications. The attack vector is remote and does not require any special privileges to initiate, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the service catalog is exposed to untrusted networks. The configuration modifications that can be performed through this vulnerability may include altering service definitions, changing user permissions, or modifying system parameters that affect the entire service catalog operation.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6395 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential system compromise and service disruption. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can fundamentally alter the behavior of the service catalog platform, potentially allowing them to create unauthorized services, modify existing service definitions, or manipulate user access rights. This capability can lead to significant operational security issues including data leakage, service denial, or unauthorized service provisioning. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the service catalog system, as attackers can modify critical configuration files or service parameters that govern how the platform operates. Organizations relying on Cisco Prime Service Catalog for managing IT services may experience service degradation or complete service failure if attackers exploit this vulnerability to modify core system parameters. The attack can be executed from any location with network access to the affected service catalog instance, making it particularly challenging to defend against in distributed or cloud environments where the system may be exposed to various network zones.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches released by Cisco to address this vulnerability. The proper solution involves implementing robust server-side access control validation that ensures all requests to administrative endpoints undergo proper authentication and authorization checks regardless of how the request is initiated. Network segmentation and access control lists should be implemented to restrict direct access to administrative interfaces from untrusted networks. The system should be configured to enforce strict session management and validate user permissions for every administrative operation. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of direct API or web interface access that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials use for persistence and privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage this flaw to gain elevated privileges without detection. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious direct requests to administrative endpoints. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar access control weaknesses in other enterprise applications and ensure that proper authorization controls are in place across the entire infrastructure.