CVE-2016-6471 in FirePOWER Management Center
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Firepower Management Center running FireSIGHT System software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to view the Remote Storage Password. More Information: CSCvb19366. Known Affected Releases: 5.4.1.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6471 resides within the web-based management interface of Cisco Firepower Management Center systems utilizing FireSIGHT System software version 5.4.1.6. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the system's authentication mechanisms by exposing sensitive credential information. The vulnerability specifically affects the Remote Storage Password, which serves as a critical access point for remote data storage operations within the network security infrastructure.
This weakness stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient access controls within the web interface components responsible for managing remote storage configurations. The flaw allows an authenticated attacker who has already gained access to the management interface to exploit a path traversal or privilege escalation mechanism that reveals stored passwords without proper authorization. The vulnerability operates through the manipulation of web interface parameters that should normally be protected from unauthorized access, creating a pathway for credential exposure that violates fundamental security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as the exposed Remote Storage Password could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to remote storage systems that may contain sensitive network data, configuration files, and security logs. This creates a significant risk of data exfiltration, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or additional network privileges to leverage this weakness, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Firepower Management Centers serve as central security orchestration points.
Organizations affected by CVE-2016-6471 face substantial risk of security breaches that could compromise their entire network security posture. The exposure of remote storage passwords provides attackers with persistent access to critical network infrastructure data, potentially enabling them to modify security policies, access monitoring systems, or establish backdoor access points. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege that should govern all security systems. The attack vector follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1566, which involves credential access through web application exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available software versions that address the specific credential exposure flaw. Network administrators must implement comprehensive monitoring of web interface access patterns and credential usage to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should enforce strict access controls and privilege separation for management interface users, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to critical configuration elements. The remediation process should include comprehensive password rotation for all affected systems, along with enhanced logging and alerting mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive configuration data. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network security components that may present comparable risks.