CVE-2016-1357 in Policy Suite CPS
Summary
by MITRE
The password-management administration component in Cisco Policy Suite (CPS) 7.0.1.3, 7.0.2, 7.0.2-att, 7.0.3-att, 7.0.4-att, and 7.5.0 allows remote attackers to bypass intended RBAC restrictions and read unspecified data via unknown vectors, aka Bug ID CSCut85211.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1357 represents a critical access control flaw within Cisco Policy Suite version 7.0.1.3 through 7.5.0, specifically affecting the password management administration component. This issue manifests as a privilege escalation vulnerability that enables remote attackers to bypass intended role-based access control restrictions. The vulnerability was tracked under Bug ID CSCut85211 and affects organizations utilizing Cisco's policy management solutions for enterprise security operations. The flaw exists in the administrative interface component responsible for managing password policies and user access controls within the CPS framework, creating a pathway for unauthorized data access that undermines the security posture of protected environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the password management administration component of Cisco Policy Suite. Attackers can exploit this weakness through unspecified attack vectors that allow them to circumvent the established role-based access control model. The flaw enables unauthorized access to sensitive data that should only be accessible to privileged administrators with appropriate authorization levels. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the security model where the system fails to properly enforce access restrictions, potentially allowing attackers to read confidential information that should remain protected. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the administrative layer where sensitive configuration data and user credentials are managed, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate privileges and access restricted information.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1357 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the access control mechanisms that protect enterprise security infrastructure. Organizations utilizing affected Cisco Policy Suite versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to password policies, user account information, and potentially sensitive configuration data that could be leveraged for further attacks. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or network proximity to the affected systems, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. This flaw directly impacts the principle of least privilege enforcement, potentially allowing attackers to gain access to information that should remain restricted to authorized administrators only. The implications are severe for organizations relying on Cisco Policy Suite for managing enterprise security policies, as it undermines the trust model that security administrators depend upon.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by Cisco to address the privilege escalation vulnerability in the password management administration component. Network segmentation and access control measures should be reviewed and strengthened to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted networks. Monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts and anomalous behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security administrators should conduct comprehensive access control reviews to ensure that only authorized personnel maintain access to administrative functions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control issues, and represents a specific implementation of the broader ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication controls and multi-factor authentication for administrative access to reduce the risk of successful exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be performed to identify and remediate similar access control weaknesses throughout the enterprise infrastructure.