CVE-2016-1374 in Unified Computing System
Summary
by MITRE
The web framework in Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) Performance Manager 2.0.0 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via crafted parameters in a GET request, aka Bug ID CSCuy07827.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1374 represents a critical command injection flaw within Cisco Unified Computing System UCS Performance Manager version 2.0.0 and earlier releases. This security weakness exists in the web framework component of the UCS Performance Manager application, which is designed to monitor and manage performance metrics for Cisco UCS infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically affects the application's handling of GET requests, where user-supplied parameters are not properly validated or sanitized before being processed by the underlying system. This flaw enables authenticated attackers to craft malicious requests that can be interpreted and executed as system commands, potentially allowing full system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94, which classify it as a command injection vulnerability and a code injection flaw respectively. The weakness stems from improper input validation within the web application's parameter handling mechanism, where the application directly incorporates user-provided data into system command execution without adequate sanitization. Attackers can exploit this by manipulating URL parameters in GET requests to inject malicious commands that will be executed with the privileges of the web application process. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting web application interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides authenticated attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, data theft, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects Cisco UCS Performance Manager, which is commonly deployed in enterprise data centers and cloud environments where it manages critical infrastructure performance data. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive performance monitoring data, potentially disrupting business operations and compromising the integrity of the entire UCS infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1374 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the latest Cisco security updates and firmware releases. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the UCS Performance Manager application, ensuring that only authorized personnel can authenticate and interact with the system. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls can help detect and prevent malicious parameter injection attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the UCS infrastructure. The mitigation approach should follow NIST SP 800-40 guidelines for command injection prevention and align with CIS Controls for protecting web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous command execution patterns and unauthorized access attempts to the performance management interface.