CVE-2017-12342 in NX-OS
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the Open Agent Container (OAC) feature of Cisco Nexus Series Switches could allow an unauthenticated, local attacker to read and send packets outside the scope of the OAC. The vulnerability is due to insufficient internal security measures in the OAC feature. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by crafting specific packets for communication on the device-internal network. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to run code on the underlying host operating system. OAC is not enabled by default. For a device to be vulnerable, an administrator would need to install and activate this feature. This vulnerability affects the following Cisco Nexus Series Switches: Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extenders, Nexus 5000 Series Switches, Nexus 5500 Platform Switches, Nexus 5600 Platform Switches, Nexus 6000 Series Switches, Nexus 7000 Series Switches, Nexus 7700 Series Switches. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCve53542, CSCvf36621.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12342 resides within the Open Agent Container feature of Cisco Nexus Series Switches, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of network infrastructure devices. This vulnerability specifically targets the internal security mechanisms that should isolate the Open Agent Container from the broader system, creating a pathway for unauthorized access that bypasses normal network segmentation controls. The flaw manifests as inadequate isolation between the containerized agent environment and the underlying host operating system, allowing for potential privilege escalation and unauthorized data access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft specific packets designed for communication within the device-internal network infrastructure. This attack vector leverages the insufficient internal security measures that should normally prevent unauthorized access to system resources and network interfaces. The vulnerability stems from a fundamental weakness in the containerization implementation where proper access controls and network isolation mechanisms are either missing or improperly configured. According to the CWE taxonomy, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically manifesting as improper access control within a containerized environment. The attack methodology involves packet crafting that exploits the lack of proper boundary enforcement between the OAC and the host system, potentially enabling code execution at the host operating system level.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code on the underlying host operating system, effectively compromising the entire switch infrastructure. This represents a severe escalation from the initial local access point, as it allows for full system compromise and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects multiple generations of Cisco Nexus switches, including the 2000, 5000, 5500, 5600, 6000, 7000, and 7700 series, indicating a widespread exposure across Cisco's enterprise networking portfolio. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and execution techniques, specifically targeting the system compromise phase where attackers seek to gain elevated privileges within network infrastructure devices.
Organizations must implement immediate mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, beginning with disabling the Open Agent Container feature on affected devices where it is not actively required. The recommended approach involves disabling the OAC feature through proper configuration management procedures, as the vulnerability only affects systems where administrators have explicitly installed and activated this feature. Cisco has provided specific bug IDs CSCve53542 and CSCvf36621 that correspond to this vulnerability, indicating the need for targeted patching or configuration changes. Network administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected devices and implement configuration baselines that disable the vulnerable feature. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for unusual patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts should be implemented, as the vulnerability specifically targets internal network communication that may not be visible through standard external network monitoring tools. The remediation process must consider the operational impact of disabling the OAC feature while ensuring that network management and monitoring capabilities remain functional through alternative means.