CVE-2016-1339 in Unified Computing System Platform Emulator
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) Platform Emulator 2.5(2)TS4, 3.0(2c)A, and 3.0(2c)TS9 allows local users to gain privileges via crafted arguments on a ucspe-copy command line, aka Bug ID CSCux68832.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1339 affects Cisco Unified Computing System UCS Platform Emulator versions 2.5(2)TS4, 3.0(2c)A, and 3.0(2c)TS9, representing a significant privilege escalation weakness that could be exploited by local attackers. This issue resides within the ucspe-copy command line interface, where crafted arguments can be leveraged to execute unauthorized privilege elevation. The vulnerability impacts the security posture of Cisco UCS environments by potentially allowing attackers with local access to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized administrative capabilities within the platform emulator.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the ucspe-copy command processing mechanism. When local users provide specially crafted arguments to this command, the system fails to properly validate the input parameters, creating a path for privilege escalation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-787, which describes out-of-bounds writes, and CWE-20, which covers input validation issues, both of which are commonly exploited in privilege escalation scenarios. The command line interface does not sufficiently sanitize or validate user-supplied arguments, allowing malicious input to be interpreted as legitimate commands that can modify system privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive system functions and data within the UCS Platform Emulator environment. Local users who can execute commands on the system can leverage this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges that would normally require administrative authentication. This creates a serious risk for organizations using Cisco UCS platforms, particularly in environments where local access controls may be less restrictive or where multiple users share system resources. The vulnerability undermines the principle of least privilege and could enable attackers to access confidential system information, modify configurations, or potentially disrupt services within the UCS infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1339 should focus on immediate patch management and access control reinforcement. Organizations must apply the relevant Cisco security patches and updates that address this privilege escalation vulnerability in the UCS Platform Emulator. Additionally, implementing strict access controls and limiting local user privileges can help reduce the attack surface. Network segmentation and monitoring of command line activities can provide early detection of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and privilege separation in system design, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation techniques. Security teams should also consider implementing privileged access management solutions and regular security assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other system components. Organizations should review their overall security posture and ensure that all Cisco UCS components are running supported versions with appropriate security mitigations in place.