CVE-2018-0377 in Policy Suite
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the Open Systems Gateway initiative (OSGi) interface of Cisco Policy Suite before 18.1.0 could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to directly connect to the OSGi interface. The vulnerability is due to a lack of authentication. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by directly connecting to the OSGi interface. An exploit could allow the attacker to access or change any files that are accessible by the OSGi process. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvh18017.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-0377 represents a critical security flaw within Cisco Policy Suite's Open Systems Gateway initiative interface, specifically affecting versions prior to 18.1.0. This issue stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms that leave the OSGi management interface exposed to unauthorized access attempts. The Open Systems Gateway initiative serves as a framework for dynamic module loading and service discovery within enterprise network management systems, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise network infrastructure. The vulnerability manifests as a complete absence of authentication requirements, allowing any remote attacker to establish direct connections to the OSGi interface without proper authorization. This fundamental flaw directly violates core security principles and creates an attack surface that could be leveraged for extensive system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the improper configuration of the OSGi interface within Cisco Policy Suite, where the system fails to enforce any form of authentication before granting access to administrative functions. The OSGi interface typically provides access to core system services, module management, and configuration capabilities that are normally restricted to authorized administrators. Without authentication, attackers can directly connect to this interface and potentially execute arbitrary commands or access sensitive system resources. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as the attacker can manipulate files accessible by the OSGi process, which may include configuration files, system logs, and potentially sensitive data repositories. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-305 authentication flaws and represents a classic example of insufficient authentication controls that could be categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK framework's initial access techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with direct access to the core management interface of the Cisco Policy Suite system. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially modify system configurations, install malicious modules, access sensitive network data, or even escalate privileges within the system. The ability to access files accessible by the OSGi process creates a pathway for attackers to compromise the integrity of the entire network management infrastructure. This vulnerability could enable attackers to perform reconnaissance activities, establish persistent access, or cause service disruption by modifying critical system parameters. The lack of authentication means that the attack surface remains continuously exposed, with no protection against unauthorized access attempts. Organizations using affected versions of Cisco Policy Suite face significant risk of network compromise, data breaches, and potential regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0377 should prioritize immediate implementation of the vendor-recommended software update to version 18.1.0 or later, which addresses the authentication deficiency in the OSGi interface. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to restrict direct access to the OSGi interface from external networks, while internal network access should be limited to authorized personnel only. Firewalls and access control lists should be configured to block unauthorized connections to the OSGi interface ports, and network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious connection attempts. Additional defensive measures include implementing strong authentication mechanisms, regularly auditing access logs, and conducting vulnerability assessments to identify similar authentication weaknesses in other network components. Organizations should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems that can monitor for exploitation attempts targeting OSGi interfaces and other management services. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of updated systems to ensure that the authentication mechanisms function correctly and that no additional vulnerabilities have been introduced during the upgrade process.