CVE-2018-0394 in Cloud Services Platform 2100
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web upload function of Cisco Cloud Services Platform 2100 could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to obtain restricted shell access on an affected system. The vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation of parameters passed to a specific function within the user interface. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by injecting code into a function parameter. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvi12935.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0394 affects the Cisco Cloud Services Platform 2100, a network infrastructure device designed for cloud service delivery and management. This particular flaw resides within the web upload functionality of the platform's user interface, representing a critical security weakness that could be exploited by authenticated remote attackers. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or filter user-supplied parameters before processing them within the system's internal functions. The affected system operates under the assumption that legitimate users will provide valid inputs, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary code into the platform's processing pipeline. This issue is particularly concerning because it allows remote exploitation without requiring physical access to the device, making it accessible to attackers who can authenticate to the system through legitimate means.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through code injection techniques targeting specific function parameters within the web interface's upload mechanism. When an authenticated user submits data through the upload function, the system fails to adequately validate the input parameters, allowing malicious code to be passed through to backend processing functions. This insufficient validation creates a code execution vector that can be leveraged to escalate privileges and gain restricted shell access to the underlying operating system. The vulnerability specifically relates to CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and falls under the broader category of injection flaws that have been consistently identified as critical threats in cybersecurity frameworks. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable upload function, execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web application process.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0394 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with the ability to establish persistent control over affected Cisco Cloud Services Platform 2100 devices. Once an attacker gains restricted shell access, they can potentially escalate privileges, modify system configurations, exfiltrate sensitive data, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not need to be physically present or have network-level access to the device, significantly increasing the attack surface and potential damage. Organizations relying on Cisco Cloud Services Platform 2100 for critical network operations face substantial risk, as this vulnerability could be exploited to disrupt services, compromise data integrity, or enable advanced persistent threats. The impact is particularly severe given that the platform typically handles sensitive network traffic and cloud service management functions, making it a valuable target for cybercriminals seeking to establish footholds within enterprise networks.
Cisco has addressed this vulnerability through the release of security patches and updates that correct the input validation flaws in the web upload functionality. Organizations should implement these updates immediately to remediate the vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation. The mitigation strategy involves not only applying the vendor-provided patches but also implementing additional security controls such as network segmentation, monitoring for suspicious upload activities, and regular security assessments of the platform's configuration. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation rules to provide additional layers of protection against similar injection attacks. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications and highlights the need for continuous security testing and monitoring of network infrastructure devices. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in their network infrastructure, particularly given the ATT&CK framework's recognition of code injection techniques as common attack patterns used by adversaries to gain initial access and establish persistence within target environments.