CVE-2018-0195 in IOS XE
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the Cisco IOS XE Software REST API could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to bypass API authorization checks and use the API to perform privileged actions on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to insufficient authorization checks for requests that are sent to the REST API of the affected software. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a malicious request to an affected device via the REST API. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to selectively bypass authorization checks for the REST API of the affected software and use the API to perform privileged actions on an affected device. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCuz56428.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0195 affects Cisco IOS XE Software and represents a critical authorization bypass flaw within the REST API component. This vulnerability resides in the software's access control mechanisms, specifically failing to properly validate authentication credentials and authorization levels for API requests. The flaw enables an authenticated attacker to circumvent intended security boundaries and execute privileged operations through the REST API interface. The vulnerability was tracked under Cisco Bug ID CSCuz56428 and demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the software's privilege management architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient authorization checks within the REST API processing logic. When legitimate API requests are received, the system fails to adequately verify that the requesting user possesses the appropriate privileges for the requested operations. This allows an attacker who has already established authentication credentials to craft malicious API requests that bypass normal authorization controls. The flaw essentially creates a path where authenticated users can escalate their privileges through API manipulation rather than requiring additional authentication steps or explicit privilege escalation mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the REST API implementation within the IOS XE operating system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with elevated privileges on affected devices, potentially enabling complete system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can perform privileged actions such as modifying system configurations, accessing sensitive data, creating new user accounts, or disabling security features. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur without physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous for network infrastructure components. This vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the affected systems, as unauthorized actions can be performed through legitimate API endpoints that should normally require elevated privileges.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by Cisco to address the authorization bypass issue. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit API exposure and reduce the attack surface. Regular monitoring of API access logs should be implemented to detect anomalous authentication patterns or unauthorized privileged actions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in software systems, and represents a specific instance of privilege escalation through API manipulation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and API abuse, potentially enabling lateral movement and persistence within affected networks. System administrators should also consider implementing additional authentication controls and regularly reviewing user access permissions to minimize the impact of potential exploitation.