CVE-2018-0330 in NX-OS
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the NX-API management application programming interface (API) in devices running, or based on, Cisco NX-OS Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute commands with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is due to a failure to properly validate certain parameters included within an NX-API request. An attacker that can successfully authenticate to the NX-API could submit a request designed to bypass NX-OS role assignment. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute commands with elevated privileges. This vulnerability affects the following if configured to use the NX-API feature: MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Switches, Nexus 2000 Series Switches, Nexus 3000 Series Switches, Nexus 3500 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. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvc73177, CSCve40903, CSCve40911.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-0330 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within Cisco NX-API management interface that affects multiple series of enterprise networking equipment. This vulnerability resides in the NX-OS Software implementation and specifically targets the authentication and authorization mechanisms that govern access to network device management functions. The flaw manifests when the system fails to properly validate parameters within NX-API requests, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to bypass role-based access controls and execute commands with elevated privileges. The NX-API serves as a crucial interface for remote management of Cisco networking equipment, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it allows attackers who have already established legitimate credentials to escalate their access rights beyond what their assigned roles should permit.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the NX-API processing pipeline. When an authenticated user submits an NX-API request, the system should validate all parameters to ensure they conform to expected formats and authorization boundaries. However, in this case, the validation process is insufficient, allowing malicious parameter manipulation that can circumvent role assignment checks. This flaw specifically impacts the authorization layer of the NX-API implementation, where role-based access control (RBAC) mechanisms are supposed to enforce privilege boundaries. The vulnerability allows attackers to construct specially crafted API requests that appear legitimate to the authentication system but contain parameters designed to bypass authorization checks, effectively enabling privilege escalation from a limited user role to administrative privileges. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and CWE-264, which covers permissions, privileges, and access control issues.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of affected network infrastructure. Network administrators who rely on NX-API for device management face significant risk, as attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to critical network functions. The affected equipment spans multiple Cisco product lines including MDS 9000 Series switches, Nexus 2000, 3000, 5500, 5600, 6000, 7000, 7700, and 9000 Series switches, representing a substantial portion of enterprise networking infrastructure. This vulnerability enables attackers to potentially modify network configurations, access sensitive data, disrupt services, or establish persistent access points within the network. The remote nature of the attack means that an authenticated attacker could exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the network, making it particularly dangerous for environments where network access controls may not be sufficiently restrictive. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be leveraged for lateral movement within network segments.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations to protect their network infrastructure. The primary recommendation involves applying the latest security patches provided by Cisco, which address the input validation flaws in the NX-API implementation. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the scope of potential exploitation, particularly by restricting access to NX-API endpoints to trusted administrative networks only. Additionally, implementing monitoring and logging of NX-API access patterns can help detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network administrators should conduct thorough audits of user roles and permissions to ensure that only necessary privileges are granted, reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of principle of least privilege enforcement within network management systems, as even authenticated users should not be granted unnecessary administrative capabilities. Organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication for NX-API access and establishing regular security assessments of their network management interfaces to identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by adversaries.