CVE-2018-0106 in Elastic Services Controller
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the ConfD server of the Cisco Elastic Services Controller (ESC) could allow an unauthenticated, local attacker to access sensitive information on a targeted system. The vulnerability is due to insufficient security restrictions. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by accessing unauthorized information within the ConfD directory and file structure. Successful exploitation could allow the attacker to view sensitive information. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvg00221.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0106 resides within the ConfD server component of Cisco Elastic Services Controller (ESC) systems, representing a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity of sensitive data protection mechanisms. This flaw manifests as inadequate access controls within the ConfD directory and file structure, creating pathways for unauthorized information disclosure that could compromise the overall security posture of affected networks. The vulnerability specifically targets the server-side configuration management system that governs how the ESC handles service configuration data and operational parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient security restrictions that should normally prevent unauthorized access to critical system components. ConfD serves as a configuration management daemon that handles service configuration data, and the flaw allows local attackers to bypass normal access controls through improper file system permissions and directory access restrictions. This weakness directly maps to CWE-284, which addresses improper access control vulnerabilities, and represents a classic example of inadequate privilege separation within service configuration management systems. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can traverse the ConfD directory structure to access sensitive operational data that should remain protected from unauthorized inspection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential insights into system configuration parameters, service dependencies, and operational mechanisms that could facilitate further exploitation attempts. Local attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain visibility into sensitive configuration files, service parameters, and potentially system credentials that may exist within the ConfD environment. This information could enable more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation, service disruption, or the development of additional attack vectors against the broader ESC infrastructure. The vulnerability's local nature means that attackers do not require network connectivity or authentication credentials to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical access or local account compromise is possible.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and privilege separation within the ConfD server environment. Network administrators should ensure that all system components maintain appropriate file system permissions and that sensitive directories are properly restricted to authorized users only. The recommended approach includes applying Cisco's official security patches and updates that address the specific access control weaknesses in the ConfD server implementation. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security audits of their ESC deployments to identify and remediate any additional access control gaps that may exist within the broader system architecture. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining strict access controls for configuration management systems and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting through information discovery activities. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized access attempts to configuration directories and file systems, providing early warning capabilities for potential exploitation attempts.