CVE-2016-6402 in Unified Computing System
Summary
by MITRE
UCS Manager and UCS 6200 Fabric Interconnects in Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) through 3.0(2d) allow local users to obtain OS root access via crafted CLI input, aka Bug ID CSCuz91263.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6402 represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw affecting Cisco Unified Computing System components including UCS Manager and UCS 6200 Fabric Interconnects. This vulnerability exists in versions through 3.0(2d) and allows authenticated local users to escalate their privileges to root access through carefully crafted command line interface inputs. The issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the CLI processing subsystem of these Cisco UCS components, creating a pathway for malicious users with local access to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of command line interface inputs that are not properly sanitized or validated before execution. When a local user submits crafted CLI commands, the system fails to adequately validate the input parameters, allowing malicious payloads to be interpreted and executed with root-level privileges. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability that leverages the trust model of the local user session to bypass normal access controls. The flaw operates at the operating system level within the UCS management interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users who already have local access to the system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe security risk for organizations utilizing Cisco UCS environments, as it allows local attackers to gain complete system control. The ability to escalate to root privileges means that an attacker with local access can potentially access all system resources, modify critical configuration files, extract sensitive data, and establish persistent backdoors. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of the UCS platform by allowing privilege escalation without requiring additional authentication mechanisms or network-based attacks. Organizations with multiple UCS components may face widespread compromise if this vulnerability is exploited across their infrastructure, particularly in environments where local access is not strictly controlled.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories from the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically addressing command injection weaknesses in input validation. From the MITRE ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques under the T1068 category, where adversaries leverage local system vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest Cisco security patches and updates, restricting local access to UCS components, and implementing robust access control measures. Network segmentation and monitoring of local system access should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify the integrity of UCS management interfaces and ensure proper input validation mechanisms are in place to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.