CVE-2017-3791 in Prime Home
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based GUI of Cisco Prime Home could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass authentication and execute actions with administrator privileges. The vulnerability is due to a processing error in the role-based access control (RBAC) of URLs. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending API commands via HTTP to a particular URL without prior authentication. An exploit could allow the attacker to perform any actions in Cisco Prime Home with administrator privileges. This vulnerability affects Cisco Prime Home versions from 6.3.0.0 to the first fixed release 6.5.0.1. Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvb49837.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3791 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within Cisco Prime Home's web-based graphical user interface. This issue stems from a fundamental processing error in the role-based access control mechanism that governs URL access permissions. The flaw exists in the software's authorization framework where legitimate access controls are improperly validated, allowing unauthorized users to escalate their privileges without proper authentication. The vulnerability specifically impacts Cisco Prime Home versions ranging from 6.3.0.0 through the initial fixed release of 6.5.0.1, creating a window of exposure for organizations utilizing these affected versions. The technical implementation of the RBAC system fails to adequately verify user credentials when processing API commands, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass normal security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables complete administrative control over the affected system. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this weakness by directly sending specially crafted HTTP API commands to specific vulnerable URLs within the application interface. This exploitation method does not require any prior authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed from any network location without additional prerequisites. The vulnerability effectively allows attackers to perform any administrative function within Cisco Prime Home, including but not limited to modifying system configurations, accessing sensitive data, creating or modifying user accounts, and potentially disrupting service availability. The implications are severe as this single vulnerability compromises the entire administrative surface of the platform.
Security researchers categorize this vulnerability under CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues within software systems. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of insufficient access control where the system fails to properly validate user permissions before executing privileged operations. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to several MITRE ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation and defense evasion, as attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent access and potentially hide their activities within the system. The lack of available workarounds further compounds the risk, as organizations cannot implement temporary mitigations while awaiting official patches. Cisco's release of software updates addressing CSCvb49837 represents the primary remediation path, requiring immediate deployment across all affected systems to prevent exploitation. Organizations should prioritize patch management procedures and conduct thorough security assessments to identify any potential compromise from this vulnerability.