CVE-2016-6433 in FirePOWER Management Center
Summary
by MITRE
The Threat Management Console in Cisco Firepower Management Center 5.2.0 through 6.0.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via crafted web-application parameters, aka Bug ID CSCva30872.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6433 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Threat Management Console of Cisco Firepower Management Center versions 5.2.0 through 6.0.1. This vulnerability exists in the web application interface that administrators use to manage network security policies and threat detection rules. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the console's parameter handling mechanisms, specifically affecting how the system processes user-supplied data through web-application parameters. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious parameters that bypass normal input filtering, allowing them to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated access to the web interface, meaning that an attacker with valid credentials could leverage this flaw to escalate privileges and gain full control over the management system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes improper control of generation of code, specifically command injection flaws where user-controllable data is incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization. The attack vector operates through the web application layer where parameters are processed before being passed to backend systems that execute commands. This creates a direct path for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution, as the authenticated user can manipulate the web interface parameters to inject malicious payloads that get executed with the privileges of the web application process. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and insufficient parameter sanitization, allowing attackers to bypass normal security controls that should prevent command injection attacks. The exploitation process typically involves crafting specially formatted parameters that, when processed by the vulnerable console, result in command execution on the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-6433 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with the ability to fully compromise the management infrastructure of Cisco Firepower systems. Once exploited, attackers can execute commands with the privileges of the web application process, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and disruption of network security operations. The vulnerability affects the core management functionality of Firepower systems, making it particularly attractive to threat actors targeting enterprise network security infrastructure. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk as the compromise of management systems can lead to complete loss of visibility into network traffic, modification of security policies, and potential lateral movement within the network. The impact is amplified because the Firepower Management Center serves as the central control point for security policies, making this vulnerability a critical threat to network defense operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-6433 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, as Cisco released security updates to address this vulnerability. Organizations must ensure that all instances of Firepower Management Center running versions 5.2.0 through 6.0.1 are updated to the latest supported releases. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit access to the management console to only authorized personnel with legitimate business needs. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter traffic to the console, enabling logging and monitoring of console access, and conducting regular security assessments of the management infrastructure. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following security best practices such as input validation, parameter sanitization, and principle of least privilege. Organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication for management console access and establish strict access control policies to minimize the risk of exploitation. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust security controls around management interfaces.