CVE-2016-1342 in FirePOWER Management Center
Summary
by MITRE
The device login page in Cisco FirePOWER Management Center 5.3 through 6.0.0.1 allows remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive software-version information by reading help files, aka Bug ID CSCuy36654.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1342 affects Cisco FirePOWER Management Center versions 5.3 through 6.0.0.1, representing a significant information disclosure weakness that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers. This flaw resides within the device login page functionality, specifically through the improper handling of help file access mechanisms that inadvertently reveal software version information. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation and improper error handling, where the system fails to properly restrict access to internal help resources that contain version-specific metadata. The issue falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities as defined by CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized parties.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a straightforward but effective method involving direct access to help files that are typically intended for internal system use or administrative purposes. Attackers can remotely query the system's help mechanisms and retrieve version information that should remain confidential within the operational environment. This exposure of software version details creates a valuable intelligence source for threat actors, as knowing the exact version of running software enables them to identify potential exploits and vulnerabilities specific to that version. The vulnerability demonstrates poor access control implementation where the system does not properly validate user permissions before serving help content, allowing unauthorized remote access to system metadata.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical intelligence for subsequent attack phases. The disclosed version information enables threat actors to quickly identify whether the system is running patched or unpatched software, potentially revealing the presence of known vulnerabilities that could be exploited in combination with this information disclosure. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082, which covers system information discovery, and represents a foundational reconnaissance step that could lead to more sophisticated attacks. The exposure of version information can also facilitate targeted attacks against known vulnerabilities specific to those versions, making the system more susceptible to exploitation. Organizations may find their security posture weakened as attackers can now more easily identify and target specific software versions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1342 should focus on implementing proper access controls and input validation mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to help files and system metadata. Organizations should ensure that all help and documentation systems properly authenticate users and authorize access based on role-based permissions. The recommended approach includes applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates, implementing network segmentation to limit access to management interfaces, and configuring proper firewall rules to restrict access to help file endpoints. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns to help systems, and regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar information disclosure weaknesses in other system components. This vulnerability underscores the importance of proper information hiding principles and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant security risks.