CVE-2018-0284 in Meraki MR
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the local status page functionality of the Cisco Meraki MR, MS, MX, Z1, and Z3 product lines could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to modify device configuration files. The vulnerability occurs when handling requests to the local status page. An exploit could allow the attacker to establish an interactive session to the device with elevated privileges. The attacker could then use the elevated privileges to further compromise the device or obtain additional configuration data from the device that is being exploited.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0284 represents a critical security flaw within Cisco Meraki series devices including MR, MS, MX, Z1, and Z3 product lines. This weakness resides in the local status page functionality and demonstrates how improper handling of specific requests can create a pathway for authenticated remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to device configurations. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of authentication bypass and privilege escalation, creating a dangerous attack vector that can compromise entire network infrastructures.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the improper validation and processing of requests directed to the local status page interface. When an authenticated attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can manipulate the device's configuration files through what appears to be legitimate administrative functions. This particular weakness falls under the CWE-284 category of Improper Access Control, specifically addressing insufficient authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability enables attackers to establish interactive sessions with elevated privileges, effectively bypassing normal security controls that should prevent unauthorized configuration modifications.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0284 extends far beyond simple configuration tampering. Once an attacker establishes an elevated session, they can execute a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to modifying firewall rules, altering network policies, accessing sensitive data, and potentially establishing persistent backdoors. The threat landscape for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The ability to modify device configurations creates cascading effects that can compromise the entire network infrastructure, as these devices often serve as critical network control points.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from network administrators and security teams. Cisco has released patches and firmware updates addressing this specific flaw, which should be deployed across all affected device models without delay. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual access patterns to status pages, particularly from authenticated sources. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting access to administrative interfaces and implementing multi-factor authentication where possible. Additionally, regular security audits and configuration reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other network components. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control policies that limit the scope of administrative access and establish comprehensive logging of all configuration changes for forensic analysis purposes.