CVE-2016-6413 in Application Policy Infrastructure Controller
Summary
by MITRE
The installation procedure on Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) devices 1.3(2f) mishandles binary files, which allows local users to obtain root access via unspecified vectors, aka Bug ID CSCva50496.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6413 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) devices running version 1.3(2f). This issue stems from improper handling of binary files during the installation process, creating a pathway for local attackers to escalate their privileges to the root level. The vulnerability was catalogued under Cisco bug ID CSCva50496, highlighting its significance within the vendor's internal tracking systems. The APIC serves as a central management platform for Cisco's Application Centric Infrastructure, making this vulnerability particularly concerning as it affects the foundational components of network policy management.
The technical nature of this flaw lies in the installation procedure's inadequate validation and handling of binary files, which creates opportunities for malicious manipulation. When the system processes binary files during installation, it fails to properly sanitize or verify the integrity of these components, allowing local users to exploit this weakness through unspecified vectors. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management and inadequate file permissions. The flaw essentially creates a condition where unauthorized local access can result in full administrative control, bypassing normal authentication and authorization mechanisms that should protect the system's core functions.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-6413 is substantial, as it enables local users to gain root access to APIC devices, which are critical infrastructure components in enterprise networks. Once compromised, attackers can manipulate network policies, access sensitive configuration data, and potentially disrupt network operations across the entire application-centric infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the network management system, as well as the availability of services that depend on proper policy enforcement. This type of local privilege escalation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through exploitation of system vulnerabilities. The compromised APIC device becomes a potential pivot point for attackers to move laterally within the network and escalate their access to other connected systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment through Cisco's official security advisories, as the vendor would have released a fix addressing the binary file handling procedures. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring to detect unauthorized installation activities and file modifications on APIC devices. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, limiting local user accounts to only necessary permissions and regularly auditing access logs for suspicious activities. Organizations should consider network segmentation to isolate APIC devices from less secure network segments and implement intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Given the nature of this vulnerability, which involves installation procedures, administrators should also verify the integrity of installation packages through checksum validation before deployment and maintain strict control over who has access to perform system installations on critical infrastructure devices.