CVE-2016-1420 in Application Policy Infrastructure Controller
Summary
by MITRE
The installation component on Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) devices with software before 1.3(2f) mishandles binary files, which allows local users to obtain root access via unspecified vectors, aka Bug ID CSCuz72347.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1420 affects Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller devices and represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the installation component. This vulnerability specifically impacts devices running software versions prior to 1.3(2f) and allows local attackers to escalate their privileges to root access through unspecified vectors that involve improper handling of binary files. The flaw resides in the device's installation process and demonstrates a fundamental weakness in how the system manages binary file processing during installation operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables local users who already have access to the system to gain administrative privileges without requiring additional authentication or exploitation techniques. This type of vulnerability directly undermines the principle of least privilege and could potentially allow attackers to gain complete control over the network infrastructure managed by the APIC device. The issue is catalogued under CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls, specifically focusing on inadequate privilege management during system operations. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to enterprise network security since APIC devices serve as critical infrastructure components for managing application policies and network access control within data centers. The vulnerability is also aligned with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation, and T1548.001, covering abuse of sudo or similar mechanisms for privilege escalation. The improper handling of binary files during installation suggests that the system lacks adequate input validation and sanitization processes, potentially allowing malicious binary content to be executed with elevated privileges. This represents a classic case of insecure file handling that could be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious package installation or modification of existing installation files.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires local access to the affected Cisco APIC device, which means that an attacker must first gain access to the system through other means such as legitimate administrative access, credential compromise, or physical access. However, once local access is obtained, the vulnerability allows for complete system compromise through privilege escalation to root level access. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the vulnerability description suggest that multiple attack paths could potentially trigger the flaw, including manipulation of installation packages, modification of binary files during installation, or exploitation of file processing routines within the installation component. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where APIC devices manage critical network policies and access control for large-scale data center operations. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it could allow attackers to modify network policies, access sensitive configuration data, or manipulate network traffic flow. The vulnerability also represents a failure in the principle of defense in depth, where multiple security controls should prevent such escalation scenarios. Organizations using affected Cisco APIC devices should consider the broader implications of this vulnerability on their network security posture, particularly in environments where network infrastructure is managed through centralized policy controllers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1420 should prioritize immediate software updates to version 1.3(2f) or later, which contain patches addressing the binary file handling issues. Network administrators should also implement additional security controls such as restricting local access to APIC devices, implementing strict access controls, and monitoring for unusual installation activities or privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and file handling in system components, particularly those involved in installation or update processes. Security teams should conduct thorough assessments of their APIC device configurations and ensure that only authorized personnel have local access to these critical infrastructure components. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to limit access to APIC devices, enabling logging and monitoring for installation activities, and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure controllers. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing robust patch management processes to address known security issues. Organizations should consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can identify and alert on devices running vulnerable software versions. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability would likely trigger requirements under security frameworks such as iso 27001 and nist 800-53, which mandate proper access control and vulnerability management processes. The incident also reinforces the need for secure coding practices and thorough security testing of installation and update components within network infrastructure devices.