CVE-2016-1289 in Prime Infrastructure
Summary
by MITRE
The API in Cisco Prime Infrastructure 1.2 through 3.0 and Evolved Programmable Network Manager (EPNM) 1.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or obtain sensitive management information via a crafted HTTP request, as demonstrated by discovering managed-device credentials, aka Bug ID CSCuy10231.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1289 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting Cisco Prime Infrastructure versions 1.2 through 3.0 and Evolved Programmable Network Manager versions 1.2. This weakness resides within the application programming interface component of these network management platforms, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on Cisco's network infrastructure solutions. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to craft specially designed HTTP requests that can result in arbitrary code execution or unauthorized access to sensitive management information. The specific bug identifier CSCuy10231 highlights the severity and nature of this particular flaw within Cisco's product line.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the API handling mechanisms of these network management systems. When the system processes crafted HTTP requests, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the incoming data, allowing malicious payloads to be executed within the context of the application. This weakness enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to critical network management functions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application layer, where attackers can leverage the API to escalate privileges and execute commands on the underlying system. The flaw specifically impacts how the system handles HTTP request parameters, potentially allowing for command injection attacks that can compromise the entire network management infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1289 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems and extract sensitive management information. This vulnerability directly threatens network security by enabling attackers to discover and potentially exploit managed-device credentials, which could lead to complete network compromise. Organizations using affected Cisco products face significant risks including unauthorized network access, data exfiltration, and potential disruption of critical network services. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the network infrastructure, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with distributed network management systems. This flaw can result in widespread network disruption and compromise of sensitive corporate data, as demonstrated by various security incidents where similar vulnerabilities have been exploited in production environments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by Cisco, which address the input validation issues in the affected API components. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to the affected systems, limiting exposure to unauthorized users. The implementation of network monitoring solutions can help detect suspicious HTTP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected software across their network infrastructure and ensure proper access controls are in place. According to the CWE catalog, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78, which address command injection flaws in application interfaces, while the ATT&CK framework would categorize this as a privilege escalation and remote code execution technique. Regular security audits and network configuration reviews are essential to maintain protection against similar vulnerabilities, particularly given that network management systems often serve as critical attack vectors in enterprise environments.