CVE-2017-12289 in IOS XE
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in conditional, verbose debug logging for the IPsec feature of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to display sensitive IPsec information in the system log file. The vulnerability is due to incorrect implementation of IPsec conditional, verbose debug logging that causes sensitive information to be written to the log file. This information should be restricted. An attacker who has valid administrative credentials could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to the device and enabling conditional, verbose debug logging for IPsec and viewing the log file. An exploit could allow the attacker to access sensitive information related to the IPsec configuration. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvf12081.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12289 represents a critical security flaw within Cisco IOS XE Software that undermines the confidentiality of IPsec configuration data through improper logging mechanisms. This issue specifically affects the conditional verbose debug logging functionality of the IPsec feature, creating an avenue for authenticated attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive network configuration information. The vulnerability stems from a design flaw where the system fails to properly restrict sensitive IPsec data from being written to system log files during verbose debugging operations, thereby exposing critical network security parameters to potential adversaries who possess valid administrative credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the incorrect handling of log data within the IPsec debugging framework of Cisco IOS XE. When an authenticated administrator enables conditional verbose debug logging for IPsec features, the system erroneously includes sensitive configuration parameters, encryption keys, and network security details in the log output files. This misconfiguration creates a persistent exposure of confidential information that should remain restricted to authorized personnel only. The flaw manifests when the logging mechanism fails to properly sanitize or filter sensitive data elements that are typically protected under security best practices and network security protocols. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-200, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor, and specifically relates to CWE-532, which deals with information exposure through log files containing sensitive data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable intelligence for subsequent exploitation attempts. An attacker with valid administrative credentials can leverage this vulnerability to extract detailed IPsec configuration information including cryptographic parameters, key management details, and network security policies that would otherwise remain protected. This information could be used to craft more sophisticated attacks targeting the specific IPsec implementation, potentially leading to broader network compromise or advanced persistent threat campaigns. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only local administrative access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by insiders or compromised administrators to gather intelligence for lateral movement or external attacks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1082 (System Information Discovery) and T1005 (Data from Local System) where attackers can collect sensitive system information through legitimate administrative functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12289 should focus on implementing proper access controls and logging restrictions within the Cisco IOS XE environment. Organizations should disable verbose debug logging for IPsec features unless absolutely necessary for troubleshooting purposes, and when enabled, ensure that log files are properly secured and monitored for unauthorized access. The implementation of role-based access controls should be strengthened to limit who can enable verbose logging functions, while regular log file audits should be conducted to detect any unauthorized access attempts. Cisco recommends applying the appropriate software patches and updates that address the specific logging implementation flaw, ensuring that sensitive information is properly filtered before being written to system log files. Network administrators should also implement centralized logging solutions with proper access controls and encryption to protect log data from unauthorized access, while establishing monitoring procedures to detect unusual logging activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper information sanitization in system logging mechanisms and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of debugging and logging features in network infrastructure software.