CVE-2018-0141 in Prime Collaboration Provisioning
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning (PCP) Software 11.6 could allow an unauthenticated, local attacker to log in to the underlying Linux operating system. The vulnerability is due to a hard-coded account password on the system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by connecting to the affected system via Secure Shell (SSH) using the hard-coded credentials. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to access the underlying operating system as a low-privileged user. After low-level privileges are gained, the attacker could elevate to root privileges and take full control of the device. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvc82982.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0141 represents a critical security flaw in Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning software version 11.6, where a hardcoded credential configuration creates an exploitable entry point for unauthorized access. This weakness stems from the inclusion of a default password within the system's configuration, a practice that violates fundamental security principles and creates a persistent backdoor that remains active across system deployments. The vulnerability specifically affects the underlying Linux operating system that supports the PCP software, creating a direct pathway for attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms through SSH connections.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves a hardcoded account password that remains unchanged across deployments, making it accessible to any attacker who can discover or guess the credential combination. When an attacker connects via SSH using these predetermined credentials, they gain initial access to the system as a low-privileged user account. This initial access point represents a classic privilege escalation vector that aligns with CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hardcoded credentials in software systems. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical sophistication, as it relies on publicly available information about default configurations rather than complex attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as the initial low-privileged account access provides a foothold for further exploitation and privilege escalation. Once an attacker gains access through the hardcoded credentials, they can leverage additional system weaknesses or employ standard privilege escalation techniques to achieve root-level control. This complete system compromise allows adversaries to execute arbitrary code, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, and potentially use the compromised device as a launch point for attacks against other networked systems. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat that remains active until the system is properly patched or the hardcoded credentials are manually removed, as documented in Cisco Bug ID CSCvc82982.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0141 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches and updates that resolve the hardcoded credential issue. System administrators must also manually verify and remove any hardcoded accounts from affected systems, ensuring that default credentials are disabled or changed to strong, unique passwords. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit SSH access to only authorized administrative personnel, while continuous monitoring and audit logging should be enabled to detect unauthorized access attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following security best practices such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, emphasizing the need for proper credential management and access control measures.