CVE-2016-6434 in FirePOWER Management Center
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Firepower Management Center 6.0.1 has hardcoded database credentials, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by leveraging CLI access, aka Bug ID CSCva30370.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6434 affects Cisco Firepower Management Center version 6.0.1, representing a critical security flaw that exposes hardcoded database credentials within the system architecture. This issue resides in the management center's database configuration where administrative credentials are embedded directly into the software code rather than being dynamically generated or securely stored. The presence of such hardcoded credentials creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited by attackers who gain local access to the system through command line interface access. This vulnerability specifically targets the authentication mechanisms of the Firepower Management Center, which serves as the centralized management interface for Cisco's next-generation firewalls and intrusion prevention systems.
The technical flaw manifests as a hardcoded credential exposure within the database connection parameters of the Firepower Management Center software. When the system initializes its database connections, it references static username and password combinations that are embedded in the application binaries or configuration files. These credentials are typically set during the initial installation process and remain unchanged throughout the system lifecycle. Attackers who successfully gain local access to the management center through legitimate CLI access can exploit this weakness by examining the system's configuration files, process memory, or through reverse engineering techniques to extract these hardcoded credentials. The vulnerability falls under the category of insecure credential storage as defined by CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hardcoded credentials in software applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides unauthorized local users with elevated privileges within the database layer of the Firepower Management Center. Once attackers obtain these hardcoded credentials, they can access sensitive operational data including firewall rules, network configurations, user accounts, and security policies that are typically protected by proper authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on centralized security management, as the compromise of database credentials can lead to complete system infiltration and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. This weakness enables attackers to manipulate security policies, disable protection mechanisms, or exfiltrate sensitive configuration data that would otherwise remain protected by proper access controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-6434 require immediate remediation through the application of Cisco's official security patches and updates that address the hardcoded credential issue. Organizations should implement comprehensive credential management practices including the dynamic generation of database passwords, regular credential rotation, and the elimination of hardcoded credentials in production systems. The recommended approach involves upgrading to Cisco Firepower Management Center versions that properly implement secure credential storage mechanisms and do not embed authentication credentials within the software binaries. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough security assessments to identify and remove any hardcoded credentials that may exist in legacy configurations, while implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized access attempts to database resources. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 which focuses on credentials from password stores, and demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in NIST SP 800-163 for protecting sensitive authentication information in network security appliances.