CVE-2018-0342 in SD-WAN Solution
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the configuration and monitoring service of the Cisco SD-WAN Solution could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary code with root privileges or cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to incomplete bounds checks for data that is provided by the configuration and monitoring service of the affected solution. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending malicious data to the vDaemon listening service on an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause a buffer overflow condition on the affected device, which could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code with root privileges on the device or cause the vDaemon listening service to reload and result in a DoS condition on the device. This vulnerability affects the following Cisco products if they are running a release of the Cisco SD-WAN Solution prior to Release 18.3.0: vBond Orchestrator Software, vEdge 100 Series Routers, vEdge 1000 Series Routers, vEdge 2000 Series Routers, vEdge 5000 Series Routers, vEdge Cloud Router Platform, vManage Network Management Software, vSmart Controller Software. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvi70003.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0342 resides within the configuration and monitoring service of Cisco's SD-WAN Solution, specifically affecting the vDaemon listening service that operates on affected network devices. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that stems from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms when processing data inputs from the configuration service. The vulnerability manifests as a buffer overflow condition that occurs when the vDaemon service receives malformed or malicious data inputs, creating a pathway for unauthorized code execution with elevated privileges. The attack vector requires local authentication access to the device, making it a privilege escalation vulnerability rather than a remote code execution flaw. Security researchers have categorized this issue under CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient bounds checking is performed on data buffers. The vulnerability affects multiple Cisco SD-WAN product lines including vBond Orchestrator Software, various vEdge router series, vManage Network Management Software, and vSmart Controller Software, all operating on versions prior to Release 18.3.0. This widespread impact across the SD-WAN solution architecture demonstrates the severity of the flaw and its potential to compromise entire network management and routing infrastructures.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2018-0342 involves an authenticated local attacker sending specifically crafted malicious data to the vDaemon service listening on port 8080 or related monitoring ports. When the service processes this malformed input without proper bounds checking, it overflows the allocated buffer space, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. This buffer overflow condition can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with root privileges, effectively granting the attacker complete control over the affected device. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond privilege escalation to include denial of service conditions, where successful exploitation can cause the vDaemon service to crash and reload, disrupting network operations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' tactic where attackers leverage software flaws to gain elevated system access. The flaw's nature as a buffer overflow aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes the use of remote code execution capabilities to gain system-level access. The vulnerability's presence in the monitoring service component suggests that it could be exploited through legitimate administrative interfaces, making detection more challenging for network security teams who might not immediately recognize the malicious nature of the data being processed.
Organizations running affected Cisco SD-WAN solutions face significant operational risks from this vulnerability, as it could lead to complete device compromise and subsequent network disruption. The local authentication requirement means that attackers would need to first gain access to legitimate administrative credentials, but once obtained, the vulnerability provides a pathway to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary commands. This poses particular risk in environments where administrative credentials might be compromised through social engineering, credential theft, or insider threats. The DoS impact of this vulnerability can result in network outages, particularly in mission-critical environments where continuous availability is essential for business operations. Network administrators should consider the vulnerability's potential to disrupt SD-WAN orchestration and control functions, which could affect traffic routing decisions and overall network performance. The vulnerability affects the core management and monitoring services that are essential for maintaining network health, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on centralized network management. Security teams should also be aware that this vulnerability could be exploited as part of a broader attack chain, potentially serving as a foothold for further network infiltration. The impact on vManage and vSmart controllers is especially concerning as these components are responsible for network policy enforcement and centralized configuration management, potentially allowing attackers to modify network policies and redirect traffic flows.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0342 should prioritize immediate software updates to Cisco SD-WAN Solution releases 18.3.0 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should implement strict access controls and authentication mechanisms to limit local administrative access to affected devices, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual data patterns being sent to vDaemon services, particularly around the monitoring and configuration ports. Security teams should establish baseline monitoring for service availability and performance metrics that could indicate exploitation attempts or DoS conditions. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify other potential weaknesses in the SD-WAN infrastructure. The implementation of network access control policies and privileged access management solutions can help prevent unauthorized local access to administrative interfaces. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious data payloads being sent to monitoring services. Additionally, maintaining detailed audit logs of administrative activities and configuration changes can aid in forensic analysis if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability's nature as a software flaw requiring a specific patch makes proactive remediation through official Cisco updates the most effective mitigation approach, aligning with industry best practices for vulnerability management and security patch deployment.