CVE-2016-6410 in IOS
Summary
by MITRE
The Cisco Application-hosting Framework (CAF) component in Cisco IOS 15.6(1)T1 and IOS XE, when the IOx feature set is enabled, allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via unspecified vectors, aka Bug ID CSCuy19856.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6410 resides within the Cisco Application-hosting Framework component of Cisco IOS and IOS XE operating systems, specifically affecting versions 15.6(1)T1 and later. This flaw manifests when the IOx feature set is enabled, creating a significant security risk that impacts organizations utilizing Cisco networking equipment. The vulnerability enables remote authenticated attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected systems, representing a critical compromise of data confidentiality and system integrity. The vulnerability was catalogued under Bug ID CSCuy19856, indicating its identification within Cisco's internal tracking systems and highlighting the severity of the issue.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves unspecified attack vectors that permit authenticated remote users to read files that they should not have access to within the system. This represents a privilege escalation or information disclosure flaw that operates at the application hosting framework level, where the system fails to properly validate file access requests. The vulnerability specifically targets the IOx feature set which allows applications to be hosted and executed on Cisco network devices, creating an attack surface that extends beyond traditional networking functions. The lack of detailed vector information suggests the flaw may involve improper input validation or insufficient access controls within the file system operations of the CAF component.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations relying on Cisco networking infrastructure, as it allows attackers who have already gained authentication credentials to escalate their access and potentially extract sensitive information from the network devices. The impact extends beyond simple data theft, as attackers could potentially access configuration files, system logs, or other sensitive data that could be used for further attacks. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where IOx applications are deployed, as it undermines the security boundaries that should exist between different system components and user access levels. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the devices and can exploit the vulnerability from outside the network perimeter.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-6410 should prioritize immediate implementation of Cisco's security advisories and patches, as the vulnerability affects core networking functionality. Organizations should disable the IOx feature set on affected devices if it is not essential for their operations, effectively removing the attack surface. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of credential compromise, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unauthorized file access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) categories, indicating weaknesses in path validation and access control mechanisms. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, potentially enabling adversaries to move laterally within networks and maintain persistent access through the compromised network devices.