CVE-2017-9024 in Secure Cisco Auditor
Summary
by MITRE
Secure Bytes Cisco Configuration Manager, as bundled in Secure Bytes Secure Cisco Auditor (SCA) 3.0, has a Directory Traversal issue in its TFTP Server, allowing attackers to read arbitrary files via ../ sequences in a pathname.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9024 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the TFTP server component of Secure Bytes Cisco Configuration Manager, which is integrated into the Secure Bytes Secure Cisco Auditor version 3.0 security assessment tool. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and path sanitization within the TFTP server implementation, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited by remote attackers to access sensitive system files and data. The vulnerability specifically affects the TFTP server's handling of file path requests, where the application fails to properly validate or sanitize directory traversal sequences, allowing malicious actors to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of file path parameters using the ../ directory traversal sequences that are commonly used in web and network service attacks. When an attacker sends a specially crafted TFTP request containing these traversal sequences, the vulnerable server processes the request without proper validation, enabling access to files outside the designated TFTP root directory. This flaw is classified as a CWE-22 directory traversal vulnerability, which falls under the broader category of path traversal attacks that have been consistently identified as one of the most prevalent and dangerous security weaknesses in network services and web applications. The vulnerability allows attackers to potentially read system configuration files, log files, and other sensitive data that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can provide attackers with access to critical system information that could be used for further exploitation or reconnaissance activities. Attackers could potentially access configuration files containing network credentials, device settings, and other sensitive information that could be leveraged to conduct more sophisticated attacks against the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the TFTP server component that is typically used for network device configuration management and file transfers, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network security auditing and configuration management tools are deployed. This weakness can be exploited by attackers to gain insights into network topology, device configurations, and potentially escalate their privileges within the network environment, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1213 for data from information repositories and T1083 for file and directory discovery.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the Secure Bytes Secure Cisco Auditor 3.0 software to the latest version that addresses the directory traversal flaw. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the exposure of TFTP services to untrusted networks, as well as disable TFTP services when they are not actively required for network device management. Network administrators should conduct regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other network services and applications, while also implementing proper input validation and path sanitization measures in all network services that handle file operations. Additionally, monitoring and logging of TFTP server activities should be enhanced to detect suspicious directory traversal attempts, and network access controls should be configured to restrict access to TFTP services based on trusted IP addresses and network segments. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in network service implementations, as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks and standards including those from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Center for Internet Security.