CVE-2016-1325 in DPC3939
Summary
by MITRE
The administration interface on Cisco DPC3939B and DPC3941 devices allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a crafted HTTP request, aka Bug ID CSCus49506.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1325 affects Cisco DPC3939B and DPC3941 devices, which are part of Cisco's DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem Termination System family. These devices serve as critical components in cable internet service provider networks, managing downstream and upstream communication between customer premises equipment and the service provider's core network infrastructure. The vulnerability resides within the administration interface of these devices, which provides authorized personnel with access to configuration and operational parameters necessary for network management and maintenance activities.
This security flaw represents a sensitive information disclosure vulnerability that allows remote attackers to extract confidential data through carefully constructed HTTP requests. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the device's web-based administration interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending crafted HTTP requests that bypass normal authentication procedures and access restricted administrative functions. The flaw essentially permits unauthorized remote access to sensitive system information that should only be available to authenticated administrators with appropriate privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on these devices, as it creates a pathway for attackers to gather critical network information that could be used for further exploitation or network reconnaissance. The sensitive data potentially accessible through this vulnerability may include system configuration details, device identifiers, network parameters, and other operational information that could aid in planning more sophisticated attacks. This exposure could enable adversaries to map network topologies, identify potential attack vectors, and gain insights into the overall network architecture and security posture.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes "Information Exposure," and represents a classic example of insufficient access control mechanisms. From an adversarial perspective, this weakness maps to ATT&CK technique T1087.001, "Account Discovery," as attackers could use the vulnerability to enumerate system accounts and access credentials. The issue also relates to T1592.002, "Network Discovery," since the leaked information could reveal network structure and device configurations. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface assessment, particularly in environments where these devices operate in untrusted network segments or are directly exposed to external network traffic.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment through Cisco's security advisories, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and implementation of network access controls to restrict unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive network assessments to identify all instances of these vulnerable devices and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to maintain awareness of similar weaknesses in other network infrastructure components. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect critical network infrastructure components from unauthorized access and information disclosure attacks.