CVE-2017-3841 in Secure Access Control System
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web interface of the Cisco Secure Access Control System (ACS) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to disclose sensitive information. More Information: CSCvc04854. Known Affected Releases: 5.8(2.5).
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3841 resides within the web interface of Cisco Secure Access Control System version 5.8(2.5) and potentially other affected releases. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that enables unauthenticated remote attackers to access sensitive information without requiring any credentials or prior authorization. The vulnerability specifically affects the authentication mechanisms of the web-based management interface, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's information disclosure capabilities.
This vulnerability manifests as an insufficient authentication check within the web interface components of the Cisco Secure ACS platform. The flaw allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive data through specially crafted requests to the affected system. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, specifically focusing on authentication bypass scenarios where the system fails to properly verify user credentials before granting access to protected resources. The attack vector is classified as remote and unauthenticated, meaning that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter without requiring any valid credentials or prior access to the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3841 is severe and multifaceted, as it can lead to the exposure of critical system information including user credentials, configuration data, network topology details, and other sensitive operational parameters. This information disclosure can significantly aid attackers in planning more sophisticated attacks against the affected network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad by allowing unauthorized information access that could compromise the overall security posture of organizations relying on Cisco Secure ACS for access control management. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability can be exploited to gather intelligence for subsequent attacks, potentially leading to full system compromise through additional exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-3841 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Cisco Secure ACS systems to version 5.8(2.5) or later releases that contain the necessary security fixes. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected web interface and consider disabling unnecessary web management services when not required. The implementation of additional access controls such as firewall rules restricting access to the web interface from specific IP addresses or network segments can provide temporary protection while patches are deployed. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns or attempts to query sensitive information through the web interface. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all systems are properly updated according to Cisco's security advisories. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1087.001 which involves account discovery through the exploitation of authentication bypass vulnerabilities, making it particularly dangerous in environments where access control systems are critical for network security.