CVE-2015-6399 in Integrated Management Controller
Summary
by MITRE
The Supervisor 1.0.0.0 and 1.0.0.1 in Cisco Integrated Management Controller (IMC) before 2.0(9) allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (IP interface outage) via crafted parameters in an HTTP request, aka Bug ID CSCuv38286.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6399 affects the Supervisor component within Cisco Integrated Management Controller versions 1.0.0.0 and 1.0.0.1. This issue represents a significant security flaw that enables remote authenticated attackers to disrupt network operations by exploiting a weakness in the HTTP request processing mechanism. The affected system components operate within the broader context of enterprise network infrastructure management, where the Integrated Management Controller serves as a critical interface for system monitoring and control. The vulnerability specifically targets the Supervisor module which handles administrative functions and network interface management, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where continuous network availability is essential. The bug ID CSCuv38286 provides additional context for tracking and remediation efforts within Cisco's internal vulnerability management systems.
The technical flaw manifests through improper input validation within the HTTP request handling process of the Supervisor component. When authenticated users submit crafted parameters within HTTP requests, the system fails to adequately sanitize or validate these inputs before processing them. This inadequate validation leads to a condition where maliciously constructed request parameters can trigger unexpected behavior in the IP interface management subsystem. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the fact that legitimate authenticated users already possess the necessary credentials to access the system, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to manipulate internal system states through seemingly legitimate administrative operations, causing the IP interface to become unavailable. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation as defined by CWE-20, which is a fundamental weakness in software design that can lead to various security consequences including denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the integrity of network infrastructure management. When the IP interface becomes unavailable, network administrators lose critical visibility into system operations and may be unable to perform essential maintenance or troubleshooting activities. This disruption can cascade through enterprise networks where the Integrated Management Controller serves as a central point for monitoring multiple devices and systems, potentially affecting hundreds or thousands of networked assets. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from outside the network perimeter, provided they have valid authentication credentials, which makes it particularly dangerous in environments where credential compromise is a concern. Organizations may experience extended downtime while administrators work to restore network functionality, and the incident could trigger additional security investigations to determine the scope of potential compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-6399 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates and configuration hardening measures. The primary solution involves upgrading the Integrated Management Controller to version 2.0(9) or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation weakness. Network administrators should also implement strict access controls and monitoring of administrative activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and following secure coding practices that include comprehensive input validation and sanitization. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities and establish incident response procedures that can quickly address denial of service conditions. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1499.004 technique related to network denial of service, and the T1566.001 technique for credential access through legitimate credentials. The vulnerability underscores the critical need for defense-in-depth strategies that combine software patch management with operational security measures to protect against authenticated attacks that can cause significant service disruption.