CVE-2016-1290 in Prime Infrastructure
Summary
by MITRE
The web API in Cisco Prime Infrastructure 1.2.0 through 2.2(2) and Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager (EPNM) 1.2 allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended RBAC restrictions and gain privileges via an HTTP request that is inconsistent with a pattern filter, aka Bug ID CSCuy10227.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1290 represents a critical access control flaw within Cisco Prime Infrastructure and Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager platforms. This issue affects versions ranging from 1.2.0 through 2.2(2) of Prime Infrastructure and corresponding versions of EPNM, creating a significant security risk for network administrators who rely on these management systems. The flaw specifically targets the Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) mechanisms that are fundamental to maintaining proper security boundaries within network management environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of HTTP requests within the web API layer of these Cisco products. When authenticated users submit HTTP requests that do not conform to expected pattern filters, the system fails to properly enforce access restrictions. This inconsistency allows attackers to craft requests that bypass intended authorization checks, effectively enabling privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where HTTP request parsing and validation occurs, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited over network connections without requiring physical access to the systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access. Network administrators who depend on these platforms for critical infrastructure management face severe consequences when RBAC controls are bypassed. Attackers can potentially gain elevated privileges to perform actions that should be restricted to specific user roles, including modifying network configurations, accessing sensitive operational data, or even executing administrative commands. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege that is fundamental to network security architectures and can lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core authentication and authorization mechanisms that protect enterprise network management systems, potentially allowing attackers to move laterally within network environments or escalate their access to critical infrastructure components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1290 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Cisco Prime Infrastructure and EPNM versions through official Cisco security advisories. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to these management systems and enforce strict firewall rules that restrict HTTP traffic to only authorized administrative endpoints. Additionally, monitoring and logging of HTTP requests should be enhanced to detect anomalous patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication and privilege management controls to reduce the impact of potential credential compromise. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1484 for domain policy modification, highlighting the broader implications for enterprise security post-compromise.
Cisco has addressed this vulnerability through security updates that correct the HTTP request validation logic within the web API components. Organizations should consult the official Cisco Security Advisories for specific patching instructions and version compatibility information. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and access control implementation in network management systems, where even subtle flaws in request processing can lead to complete privilege escalation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other network management platforms and ensure comprehensive protection against unauthorized access attempts.