CVE-2017-6714 in Ultra Services Framework Staging Server
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the AutoIT service of Cisco Ultra Services Framework Staging Server could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary shell commands as the Linux root user. The vulnerability is due to improper shell invocations. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by crafting CLI command inputs to execute Linux shell commands as the root user. This vulnerability affects all releases of Cisco Ultra Services Framework Staging Server prior to Releases 5.0.3 and 5.1. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvc76673.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6714 resides within the AutoIT service component of Cisco Ultra Services Framework Staging Server, representing a critical remote code execution flaw that fundamentally compromises system integrity. This vulnerability stems from improper shell invocation practices within the service's command processing mechanism, creating a pathway for unauthenticated remote attackers to gain elevated privileges and execute arbitrary shell commands with root-level permissions. The flaw specifically affects all versions of the Cisco Ultra Services Framework Staging Server prior to releases 5.0.3 and 5.1, indicating that organizations running these older versions face significant security risks. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-78, which addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and demonstrates how inadequate input validation can lead to privilege escalation scenarios.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted command line interface inputs that bypass normal security controls and directly invoke shell commands within the Linux environment. When the AutoIT service processes these malicious inputs, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the command sequences, allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary shell commands as the root user. This improper handling of user inputs represents a classic command injection vulnerability that leverages the service's legitimate functionality to execute unauthorized operations. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that no authentication is required for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered from any external network location without prior access credentials. The attack vector operates entirely through the service's CLI interface, where attacker-controlled inputs are directly passed to underlying shell execution functions without adequate sanitization or validation.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6714 extends far beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities and persistent access to affected environments. Organizations running vulnerable versions of Cisco Ultra Services Framework Staging Server face potential data breaches, system infiltration, and complete network compromise scenarios. The root-level execution capability means attackers can modify system files, install backdoors, disable security controls, and establish persistent access to the compromised infrastructure. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.004, which covers the use of script-based commands for execution, and T1068, which addresses privilege escalation through service manipulation. The vulnerability's presence in the staging server environment particularly concerning as it typically serves as a pre-production or testing platform that may contain sensitive configurations or development data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6714 must prioritize immediate patch deployment to versions 5.0.3 or 5.1, which contain the necessary security fixes to address the improper shell invocation flaw. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected service and consider disabling the AutoIT service entirely if it is not required for business operations. Additional defensive measures include implementing input validation controls, monitoring for suspicious CLI command patterns, and establishing network-based intrusion detection rules targeting the specific vulnerability signatures. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software across their infrastructure and implement proper access controls to limit who can interact with the service. The remediation process should also include reviewing system logs for evidence of exploitation attempts and implementing enhanced logging for command execution activities to detect potential future attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege controls and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other services within their infrastructure.