CVE-2017-6639 in Prime Data Center Network Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the role-based access control (RBAC) functionality of Cisco Prime Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to access sensitive information or execute arbitrary code with root privileges on an affected system. The vulnerability is due to the lack of authentication and authorization mechanisms for a debugging tool that was inadvertently enabled in the affected software. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by remotely connecting to the debugging tool via TCP. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to access sensitive information about the affected software or execute arbitrary code with root privileges on the affected system. This vulnerability affects Cisco Prime Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) Software Releases 10.1(1) and 10.1(2) for Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Virtual Appliance platforms. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvd09961.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6639 represents a critical security flaw in Cisco Prime Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) that undermines the fundamental principles of role-based access control and authentication. This issue specifically targets the RBAC functionality of the software, which is designed to enforce proper access controls and privilege management within network management systems. The flaw stems from an inadvertent configuration that leaves a debugging tool accessible without proper authentication mechanisms, creating an unauthorized entry point that bypasses normal security protocols. The vulnerability affects Cisco DCNM versions 10.1(1) and 10.1(2) across multiple platforms including Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Virtual Appliance deployments, making it particularly concerning given the widespread use of these platforms in enterprise network infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote TCP connections to a debugging interface that should have been disabled or properly secured. This debugging tool, when inadvertently left enabled, provides an attack surface that allows unauthenticated remote access to the underlying system. The flaw demonstrates a classic security misconfiguration pattern where development or diagnostic tools remain accessible in production environments without proper access controls. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and CWE-276 which covers incorrect permissions for critical resources. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication credentials and can be executed entirely remotely, making it a prime target for automated exploitation tools. The debugging interface essentially acts as a backdoor that bypasses all normal authentication and authorization checks that should govern access to system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as successful exploitation grants attackers root privileges and complete system control. This level of access allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary code, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The implications are severe for enterprise environments that rely on DCNM for critical network management functions, as attackers could compromise the entire network monitoring and management ecosystem. Organizations using affected versions face potential data breaches, system compromise, and disruption of critical network operations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and remote code execution, specifically leveraging the T1068 (Local Potentially Exploitable Vulnerability) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) techniques. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by its ability to provide root-level access without requiring any authentication, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to gain maximum system control.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6639 focus on immediate remediation through official Cisco patches and updates addressing the specific debugging tool configuration issue. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to DCNM systems, disable unnecessary services and debugging interfaces, and conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially exposed diagnostic tools. The recommended approach involves applying Cisco Security Advisory CSCvd09961 patches promptly, which address the root cause by properly securing the debugging interface or disabling it entirely. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions to detect unusual TCP connections to the affected system ports can provide early warning of exploitation attempts. Security teams should also review and harden their overall security configurations, ensuring that development and diagnostic tools are properly secured or disabled in production environments. This vulnerability underscores the importance of proper software configuration management and regular security assessments to prevent the accidental exposure of administrative interfaces that could provide unauthorized access to critical system resources.