CVE-2017-6710 in VNF Element Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the Cisco Virtual Network Function (VNF) Element Manager could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to elevate privileges and run commands in the context of the root user on the server. The vulnerability is due to command settings that allow Cisco VNF Element Manager users to specify arbitrary commands that will run as root on the server. An attacker could use this setting to elevate privileges and run commands in the context of the root user on the server. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvc76670. Known Affected Releases: prior to 5.0.4 and 5.1.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6710 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Cisco's Virtual Network Function Element Manager software. This issue affects versions prior to 5.0.4 and 5.1.4, creating a significant security risk for organizations utilizing Cisco's virtual network infrastructure solutions. The vulnerability stems from improper command execution controls that permit authenticated users to specify arbitrary commands which execute with root privileges on the underlying server system. This fundamental design flaw essentially allows a malicious actor with valid credentials to gain complete administrative control over the affected server, bypassing normal security boundaries and access controls that should normally restrict user privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and CWE-269, which addresses insufficient privileges for critical operations. The flaw exists within the command execution framework of the VNF Element Manager where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being executed as system commands. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious command inputs that leverage the existing privilege escalation mechanisms, effectively transforming a standard user account into a root-level administrative session. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework category of privilege escalation, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code with elevated system privileges to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected server infrastructure. Once an attacker achieves root-level access through this vulnerability, they can modify system configurations, install persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, and manipulate network traffic flows. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the server, making it particularly dangerous for cloud-based deployments and distributed network environments. Organizations using affected Cisco VNF Element Manager versions face significant risk of data breaches, service disruptions, and potential compromise of their entire virtual network infrastructure, as the attacker can essentially take complete control of the underlying system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6710 primarily focus on immediate software patching and configuration hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to Cisco VNF Element Manager versions 5.0.4 or 5.1.4, which contain the necessary security fixes to address the privilege escalation vulnerability. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access control measures can limit the potential impact if an attacker were to successfully exploit the vulnerability. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious command execution patterns and unauthorized privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of least privilege principles and proper input validation in system design, as well as the critical need for regular security assessments and patch management processes to prevent similar issues from compromising enterprise network infrastructure.