CVE-2018-0427 in Digital Network Architecture Center
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the CronJob scheduler API of Cisco Digital Network Architecture (DNA) Center could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to perform a command injection attack. The vulnerability is due to incorrect input validation of user-supplied data. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a malicious packet. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvi42263.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0427 resides within the CronJob scheduler API component of Cisco Digital Network Architecture DNA Center, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the network infrastructure management platform. This vulnerability specifically targets the input validation mechanisms that govern how user-supplied data is processed within the scheduling system, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to compromise the system's security posture. The affected component operates as part of Cisco's broader network management ecosystem, which is designed to provide centralized control and monitoring capabilities for enterprise networks, making this vulnerability particularly concerning given its potential for widespread impact.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user inputs within the CronJob scheduler API, which allows an authenticated remote attacker to inject malicious commands through carefully crafted packets. This flaw manifests as a classic command injection vulnerability, where user-supplied data intended for legitimate scheduling operations can be manipulated to execute arbitrary system commands. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-77 as a command injection weakness, where the application fails to properly sanitize or validate input before incorporating it into system commands. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious payloads that bypass normal input validation checks, enabling them to inject commands that are then executed with elevated privileges within the system context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation grants attackers root-level privileges on the affected system. This privilege escalation capability represents a severe compromise of the system's security model, allowing malicious actors to execute commands with the highest level of system access. The implications include complete system compromise, data exfiltration, lateral movement within the network, and potential disruption of critical network services. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter, eliminating the need for physical access or insider knowledge. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries use system commands to achieve their objectives, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0427 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Cisco, as the vendor has acknowledged this vulnerability through bug ID CSCvi42263 and provided remediation guidance. Network administrators should implement strict access controls and authentication measures to limit the number of users who can interact with the CronJob scheduler API. Additional protective measures include network segmentation to isolate critical infrastructure components, implementation of intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious packet patterns, and regular security audits of the DNA Center configuration. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and should prompt organizations to review their application security testing procedures to identify similar weaknesses in other components. Security monitoring should focus on anomalous command execution patterns and unauthorized access attempts to the scheduling API, while access logs should be maintained and regularly reviewed for potential exploitation indicators.