CVE-2016-6443 in Prime Infrastructure
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the Cisco Prime Infrastructure and Evolved Programmable Network Manager SQL database interface could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to impact system confidentiality by executing a subset of arbitrary SQL queries that can cause product instability. More Information: CSCva27038, CSCva28335. Known Affected Releases: 3.1(0.128), 1.2(400), 2.0(1.0.34A).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6443 represents a critical security flaw within Cisco Prime Infrastructure and Evolved Programmable Network Manager products that exposes organizations to significant risks. This vulnerability resides in the SQL database interface component of these network management platforms, creating a pathway for authenticated remote attackers to exploit system weaknesses. The affected versions include 3.1(0.128), 1.2(400), and 2.0(1.0.34A), indicating this flaw has persisted across multiple release lines of Cisco's network management solutions. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, making it a direct descendant of well-known database security weaknesses that have plagued enterprise systems for decades. Organizations relying on these network management platforms face potential exposure to unauthorized data access and system instability, as the flaw allows for execution of arbitrary SQL queries that can compromise the integrity of the underlying database infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the SQL database interface, allowing authenticated users to craft malicious SQL statements that bypass normal security controls. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute a subset of arbitrary SQL queries against the database backend, potentially accessing sensitive configuration data, user credentials, or network topology information. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and credential access tactics, as the authenticated nature of the exploit means that even limited access can be leveraged to gain deeper system insights. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor through which attackers can manipulate database contents and potentially extract confidential information, with the system's stability being compromised as a secondary effect. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft, as it can cause product instability that affects network monitoring and management capabilities, potentially leading to extended service disruptions.
The operational consequences of CVE-2016-6443 are particularly concerning for enterprise network administrators who depend on Cisco Prime Infrastructure for critical network management functions. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to sensitive network data, including device configurations, user accounts, and network topology information that could be used to plan further attacks. The vulnerability's ability to cause product instability means that network management services could become unavailable or unreliable, affecting the organization's ability to monitor and maintain their network infrastructure. This instability could manifest as database corruption, service interruptions, or complete system failures that require extensive recovery procedures. The impact is amplified by the fact that these network management platforms typically contain highly sensitive information about enterprise networks, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals seeking to gain deeper access to organizational infrastructure. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions suggests that organizations with legacy deployments may be particularly at risk.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Cisco security patches and updates that address this vulnerability, as well as implementing network segmentation to limit access to the affected systems. The implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries within the database interface would provide long-term protection against similar vulnerabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Access controls should be reviewed and strengthened to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to the affected systems, and that administrative privileges are properly managed through principle of least privilege. The vulnerability's classification as a SQL injection flaw emphasizes the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews to identify similar weaknesses in network management applications. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on suspicious SQL query patterns, providing an additional layer of protection against exploitation attempts.