CVE-2018-0343 in SD-WAN Solution
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the configuration and management service of the Cisco SD-WAN Solution could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code with vmanage user privileges or cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on an affected system. The vulnerability is due to insufficient access restrictions to the HTTP management interface of the affected solution. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a malicious HTTP request to the affected management service through an authenticated device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code with vmanage user privileges or stop HTTP services on an affected system. 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: CSCvi69976.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-0343 represents a critical security flaw within Cisco's SD-WAN Solution ecosystem that exploits insufficient access controls on the HTTP management interface. This configuration weakness affects multiple components including vManage network management software, vSmart controller software, and various vEdge router series, creating a significant attack surface for authenticated remote adversaries. The vulnerability stems from inadequate restrictions that permit malicious HTTP requests to be processed by the management service without proper authorization checks, fundamentally compromising the security model of the affected systems.
The technical implementation of this flaw allows an attacker with valid authentication credentials to craft specifically designed HTTP requests that can bypass normal access controls. When processed by the vulnerable management service, these requests can result in arbitrary code execution with vmanage user privileges or trigger denial of service conditions by terminating HTTP services. The vulnerability specifically targets the HTTP management interface which serves as the primary communication channel for administrative operations and system configuration. This interface becomes the attack vector where the insufficient access restrictions manifest, allowing authenticated attackers to escalate their privileges or disrupt service availability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it affects the core management capabilities of the SD-WAN infrastructure. Organizations relying on Cisco's SD-WAN solution face potential compromise of their network management systems, which could lead to complete loss of visibility and control over their distributed network topology. The ability to execute arbitrary code with vmanage privileges provides attackers with extensive capabilities to modify network policies, redirect traffic, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. Additionally, the denial of service component can cause complete disruption of management services, effectively rendering the network unmanageable and potentially creating service outages across the entire SD-WAN deployment.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the techniques related to privilege escalation and service stoppage. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which describes improper access control issues, making it a clear example of how weak access restrictions can lead to severe security consequences. Organizations must implement immediate mitigations including applying the Cisco security advisory patches and updating to Release 18.3.0 or later versions where the vulnerability has been addressed. Network segmentation and monitoring of HTTP management interface traffic should be enhanced to detect anomalous request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of SD-WAN configurations and access control policies are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other management interfaces or system components.