CVE-2015-6426 in Prime Network Services Controller
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Prime Network Services Controller 3.0 allows local users to bypass intended access restrictions and execute arbitrary commands via additional parameters to an unspecified command, aka Bug ID CSCus99427.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6426 affects Cisco Prime Network Services Controller version 3.0, representing a critical authorization bypass flaw that enables local attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code. This issue stems from insufficient input validation within the command processing mechanism, specifically allowing attackers to append additional parameters to existing commands without proper authentication or authorization checks. The vulnerability resides in the controller's handling of command-line arguments and parameter parsing, creating an attack surface where malicious inputs can be crafted to circumvent intended access controls. The affected system processes user commands through a centralized interface that fails to properly sanitize or validate additional parameters, allowing for command injection attacks that can result in complete system compromise. This type of vulnerability typically falls under the category of command injection flaws as defined by CWE-77 and CWE-88, which are categorized under the broader weakness of insufficient input validation. The attack vector requires local system access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users with minimal privileges who can then escalate their access to administrative levels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive network infrastructure data. Local users who can interact with the system can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges, potentially allowing them to modify system configurations, access confidential data, or establish persistent backdoors. The command injection aspect of this vulnerability can be exploited to manipulate network services, alter routing configurations, or even disable critical network functions. Attackers could use this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to network management interfaces, potentially compromising the entire network infrastructure under the controller's management. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where network services controllers manage critical infrastructure components, as this vulnerability could enable attackers to disrupt network operations or gain access to sensitive customer data. Organizations using this specific version of Cisco Prime Network Services Controller face significant risk exposure, as the vulnerability can be exploited by both malicious insiders and external attackers who have gained local access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-6426 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Cisco Prime Network Services Controller software to the latest available version that addresses this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict access controls and privilege separation to minimize the risk of local privilege escalation, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to system command interfaces. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security controls should include input validation mechanisms that sanitize all command-line parameters and prevent additional parameters from being appended to system commands without proper authorization. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced across all system components, limiting local user access to only necessary functions. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can monitor for suspicious command execution patterns and alert security teams to potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues within the network infrastructure. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1106 (Native API) techniques, as attackers can leverage command injection to execute malicious code through native system interfaces. System administrators should also implement comprehensive logging and audit trails to track command execution activities and identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms, as recommended by security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001, which emphasize the need for robust authentication and authorization controls to prevent unauthorized system access.