CVE-2016-1427 in Prime Network Registrar
Summary
by MITRE
The System Configuration Protocol (SCP) core messaging interface in Cisco Prime Network Registrar 8.2 before 8.2.3.1 and 8.3 before 8.3.2 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via crafted SCP messages, aka Bug ID CSCuv35694.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1427 affects the System Configuration Protocol core messaging interface within Cisco Prime Network Registrar software versions 8.2 before 8.2.3.1 and 8.3 before 8.3.2. This represents a critical information disclosure flaw that enables remote attackers to extract sensitive data through carefully constructed SCP messages. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the SCP message processing mechanism, creating an avenue for unauthorized data access that could compromise the integrity and confidentiality of network configuration data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the SCP protocol handler's failure to properly validate and sanitize incoming messages before processing them within the system. When malformed or crafted SCP messages are received, the system does not adequately filter or validate the message content, allowing attackers to manipulate the protocol interface to extract information that should remain confidential. This weakness specifically impacts the core messaging interface where system configuration parameters and potentially sensitive network data are handled, creating a pathway for attackers to probe system internals and gather information about network configurations, device settings, and potentially authentication credentials or other confidential operational data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain insights into network topology, device configurations, and system architecture that would otherwise remain protected. This reconnaissance capability could serve as a foundation for further attacks, including privilege escalation attempts, network mapping, or targeting of other system components. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access or local system credentials to potentially access sensitive information, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for network infrastructure systems that handle critical configuration data.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and could potentially map to ATT&CK techniques such as T1082 for system information discovery and T1046 for network service scanning. Organizations utilizing Cisco Prime Network Registrar should prioritize immediate patching to address this vulnerability, as the affected versions represent a significant risk to network security posture. The recommended mitigation involves upgrading to Cisco Prime Network Registrar 8.2.3.1 or 8.3.2, which contain fixes for the input validation issues within the SCP messaging interface. Additionally, network administrators should implement monitoring for unusual SCP message patterns and consider network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in protocol implementations and highlights the need for continuous security assessments of core messaging interfaces in network infrastructure systems to prevent similar information disclosure scenarios.