CVE-2018-0258 in Prime Data Center Network Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the Cisco Prime File Upload servlet affecting multiple Cisco products could allow a remote attacker to upload arbitrary files to any directory of a vulnerable device (aka Path Traversal) and execute those files. This vulnerability affects the following products: Cisco Prime Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) Version 10.0 and later, and Cisco Prime Infrastructure (PI) All versions. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvf32411, CSCvf81727.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2018
This vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw in Cisco Prime File Upload servlet that enables remote attackers to bypass file upload restrictions and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper file handling mechanisms within the servlet component that processes file uploads. Attackers can exploit this weakness to upload malicious files to any directory on the target device, effectively gaining unauthorized access to the system's file system and potentially escalating privileges to execute commands with the privileges of the affected service account. The flaw exists in the way the application processes user-supplied file paths, failing to properly sanitize or validate directory traversal sequences that could allow attackers to navigate outside of intended upload directories.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves manipulation of file path parameters during the upload process, where the application fails to adequately validate or canonicalize user-provided file paths before processing them. This allows attackers to inject directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that can navigate to arbitrary locations on the file system. When combined with the ability to upload executable files, this creates a complete remote code execution scenario where attackers can deploy malware, establish backdoors, or perform further exploitation activities. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Cisco networking management platforms including Prime Data Center Network Manager versions 10.0 and later, as well as all versions of Prime Infrastructure, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread deployment of these management tools in enterprise networks. The issue is classified as a path traversal vulnerability under CWE-22, which specifically addresses the improper handling of file paths that can lead to unauthorized access to files and directories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential network-wide infiltration. Organizations using affected Cisco Prime products face significant risk as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain persistent access to their network management infrastructure, potentially enabling them to monitor network traffic, modify configurations, or use the compromised system as a launch point for attacks against other network segments. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require authentication, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can exploit it remotely without needing valid credentials. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, as the compromised system can be used to execute commands and maintain persistence. Network administrators must consider that successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of network management functions, potentially affecting multiple network devices managed through the Prime infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of Cisco's security advisories and patches, which address the root cause by properly validating and sanitizing file paths during upload operations. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of Prime management systems to untrusted networks, while monitoring for suspicious file upload activities and anomalous network behavior. Network defenders should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious file upload attempts, and conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potential path traversal vulnerabilities in similar components. The remediation process should include disabling unnecessary file upload functionality where possible, implementing strict file type and content validation, and ensuring that uploaded files are stored in secure directories with appropriate access controls. Regular security updates and patch management procedures should be strengthened to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in the future, with particular attention to input validation and file handling processes within web applications.