CVE-2017-6732 in Prime Network Software
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the installation procedure for Cisco Prime Network Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to elevate their privileges to root privileges. More Information: CSCvd47343. Known Affected Releases: 4.2(2.1)PP1 4.2(3.0)PP6 4.3(0.0)PP4 4.3(1.0)PP2. Known Fixed Releases: 4.3(2).
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6732 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Cisco Prime Network Software that specifically targets the installation procedure of the network management platform. This weakness allows an authenticated local attacker to escalate their privileges from a standard user account to root level access, fundamentally compromising the security posture of the affected systems. The vulnerability stems from improper privilege handling during the software installation process, creating an exploitable condition that directly violates the principle of least privilege and could enable attackers to gain complete administrative control over the network infrastructure management platform.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the installation routine of Cisco Prime Network Software where insufficient validation mechanisms exist to properly verify user privileges during the installation process. Attackers with legitimate local access can leverage this flaw to execute malicious code or commands that would normally require root privileges, effectively bypassing the operating system's access controls. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only local authentication and does not necessitate network access or complex exploitation techniques, making it highly accessible to insiders or attackers who have already gained local system access. This flaw aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management, and demonstrates how inadequate access control during system operations can create severe security implications.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6732 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of Cisco Prime Network Software installations. Once an attacker achieves root privileges, they can manipulate network configurations, access sensitive data, modify system files, and potentially use the compromised system as a pivot point for attacking other network segments. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms, as the attacker can establish long-term access to the network management infrastructure. The affected releases including 4.2(2.1)PP1 through 4.3(1.0)PP2 represent a significant portion of Cisco Prime Network Software versions, indicating this was a widespread issue affecting multiple generations of the platform.
Organizations running affected versions of Cisco Prime Network Software face substantial risk from this vulnerability, as it provides a direct path to complete system compromise through local access. The fix provided in release 4.3(2) addresses the underlying privilege handling issues in the installation process, implementing proper access control checks and privilege validation mechanisms. Security teams should immediately assess their deployment environments to identify systems running vulnerable versions and implement the patched software as a priority. Additionally, organizations should review their local access controls, implement proper monitoring for unauthorized installation activities, and consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure installation procedures and proper privilege management in enterprise network management platforms, as these components often serve as central points of control for extensive network infrastructure.