CVE-2018-0293 in NX-OS
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in role-based access control (RBAC) for Cisco NX-OS Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute CLI commands that should be restricted for a nonadministrative user. The attacker would have to possess valid user credentials for the device. The vulnerability is due to incorrect RBAC privilege assignment for certain CLI commands. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to a device as a nonadministrative user and executing specific commands from the CLI. An exploit could allow the attacker to run commands that should be restricted to administrative users. These commands could modify the configuration or boot image on the device. This vulnerability affects MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Switches, Nexus 2000 Series Switches, Nexus 3000 Series Switches, Nexus 3500 Platform Switches, Nexus 3600 Platform Switches, Nexus 5500 Platform Switches, Nexus 5600 Platform Switches, Nexus 6000 Series Switches, Nexus 7000 Series Switches, Nexus 7700 Series Switches, Nexus 9000 Series Switches in standalone NX-OS mode, Nexus 9500 R-Series Line Cards and Fabric Modules. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvd77904.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2023
This vulnerability represents a critical flaw in the role-based access control implementation within Cisco NX-OS Software affecting multiple series of network switches. The issue stems from improper privilege assignment for specific command-line interface commands, creating a path for authenticated attackers to escalate their privileges beyond what should be permitted for standard user accounts. The vulnerability specifically targets the RBAC mechanism that is designed to restrict nonadministrative users from executing privileged operations, thereby undermining the fundamental security model of these network devices. According to the Cisco bug ID CSCvd77904, this flaw allows attackers with valid credentials to bypass intended access controls and execute commands that should be restricted to administrative users only.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated user with nonadministrative privileges attempts to execute specific CLI commands that have been improperly configured in the RBAC framework. This misconfiguration enables attackers to gain elevated privileges without requiring additional authentication factors or physical access to the device. The flaw affects a broad range of Cisco network equipment including MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Switches, various Nexus series switches across multiple platforms, and Nexus 9000 Series switches operating in standalone NX-OS mode. The impact extends to critical system functions such as configuration modification and boot image manipulation, which could result in complete system compromise or denial of service conditions.
From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for network infrastructure administrators who rely on proper access controls to protect their network devices. The attack vector requires only valid user credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or compromised accounts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control in software systems, and represents a classic privilege escalation flaw. Organizations using affected Cisco equipment face potential exposure to unauthorized configuration changes, data manipulation, and service disruption that could affect entire network segments. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of legitimate credentials to gain elevated system access.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment through official Cisco security advisories and firmware updates. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring controls to detect unusual command execution patterns by nonadministrative users. Configuration reviews should ensure that RBAC policies are properly enforced and that user accounts have minimal required privileges. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security testing during software development and the need for robust privilege management systems. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access control lists to limit the potential impact of such compromises, while maintaining comprehensive audit logging to track all CLI activities across affected devices.