CVE-2016-1360 in Prime LAN Management Solution
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Prime LAN Management Solution (LMS) through 4.2.5 uses the same database decryption key across different customers' installations, which allows local users to obtain cleartext data by leveraging console connectivity, aka Bug ID CSCuw85390.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2022
Cisco Prime LAN Management Solution version 4.2.5 and earlier contains a critical cryptographic vulnerability that undermines the security of customer data across multiple installations. This vulnerability stems from the implementation of a static database decryption key that is shared among all customer deployments, creating a fundamental weakness in the system's confidentiality controls. The flaw exists within the software's design where the same cryptographic key is embedded across different customer environments, effectively eliminating the cryptographic isolation that should exist between separate organizational deployments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through local access to the system console, where authenticated local users can leverage their console connectivity to extract cleartext data from the database. This represents a significant privilege escalation issue since the static key allows unauthorized access to sensitive information that should be protected through proper cryptographic separation. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-327, which addresses the use of broken or weak cryptographic algorithms, and CWE-310, concerning cryptographic key management failures. Attackers with local console access can bypass normal access controls and decrypt database contents that would typically remain protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it compromises the integrity of the entire security model for Cisco Prime LMS deployments. Organizations using this software face potential data breaches where sensitive network configuration data, user credentials, and operational information could be accessed by malicious actors with local console privileges. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where console access is not properly restricted or where multiple users have administrative access to the system. The risk is amplified because the same key is used across different customer installations, meaning that compromise of one deployment could potentially provide access to data from other organizations using the same software version.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including restricting console access to authorized personnel only, implementing proper access controls, and upgrading to versions that address this cryptographic key management issue. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper key rotation and unique cryptographic implementations for each customer environment. Organizations should also conduct thorough audits of their console access controls and implement monitoring for unauthorized console usage. This issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through local system access, and T1552 which addresses credentials theft through various means including access to system files and databases. The vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the importance of unique cryptographic implementations and proper key management practices in enterprise security solutions.