CVE-2016-1352 in Unified Computing System
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) Central Software 1.3(1b) and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via a crafted HTTP request, aka Bug ID CSCuv33856.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2024
Cisco Unified Computing System UCS Central Software versions 1.3(1b) and earlier contain a critical remote command execution vulnerability that stems from inadequate input validation within the HTTP request processing pipeline. This flaw enables remote attackers to inject and execute arbitrary operating system commands on the affected system by crafting specially malformed HTTP requests. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input passed through HTTP parameters, creating a path for command injection attacks that bypass standard security controls. The affected software components process HTTP requests without proper validation of command sequences, allowing malicious payloads to be interpreted as legitimate system commands. This represents a severe security weakness that directly violates the principle of least privilege and input validation best practices. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 category of Command Injection, specifically manifesting as an OS command injection flaw that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected service account. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities, enabling them to establish persistent access, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malicious payloads. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication or local access, making it highly exploitable from external networks. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and availability of the unified computing infrastructure, potentially affecting thousands of connected servers and storage devices managed through the compromised UCS Central instance. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a command injection technique under the execution phase, with potential for privilege escalation and lateral movement within the network. Organizations utilizing Cisco UCS Central software versions prior to 1.3(1b) face significant risk exposure, as the vulnerability can be exploited without user interaction or prior authentication. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise to include potential disruption of business-critical infrastructure operations and data breaches. Security professionals should prioritize patching this vulnerability as a high-priority remediation task, as it represents one of the most dangerous classes of vulnerabilities in enterprise infrastructure software. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical failure in the software development lifecycle regarding input validation and secure coding practices. Organizations should implement network segmentation, firewall rules, and intrusion detection systems to mitigate the risk while awaiting official patches. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs to identify and remediate similar flaws in other enterprise systems. Cisco has released security advisories and patches addressing this specific vulnerability, emphasizing the need for immediate deployment of updates to prevent exploitation. The flaw represents a significant weakness in the security architecture of enterprise data centers, where centralized management systems serve as prime targets for attackers seeking broad system compromise. This vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust security controls in complex enterprise environments. The potential for widespread impact makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in large-scale deployments where a single compromised central management system can affect entire data center operations. Organizations should conduct thorough risk assessments to determine the full scope of potential impact and implement layered defensive measures to protect against similar command injection vulnerabilities in other systems. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and comprehensive security testing in enterprise software development processes.