CVE-2018-0430 in Integrated Management Controller
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Integrated Management Controller (IMC) Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to inject and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of command input by the affected software. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted commands to the web-based management interface of the affected software. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to inject and execute arbitrary, system-level commands with root privileges on an affected device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0430 resides within Cisco Integrated Management Controller IMC Software's web-based management interface, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of enterprise server management systems. This vulnerability specifically affects Cisco IMC versions 2.50 through 2.51 and 3.00 through 3.01, where the software fails to properly validate command inputs submitted through its web interface. The flaw creates an environment where authenticated attackers can manipulate the system's command execution pathways, potentially compromising the entire managed infrastructure.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the IMC software's command processing subsystem. When legitimate users submit commands through the web interface, the system does not sufficiently sanitize or validate the input parameters before executing them within the operating system context. This insufficient validation creates a command injection vulnerability that allows attackers to append malicious commands to legitimate requests. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-77 as Command Injection, specifically manifesting as a weakness in input validation that permits arbitrary code execution. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specially formatted requests that bypass normal input sanitization checks, enabling them to inject system-level commands directly into the execution pipeline.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching within enterprise environments that rely on Cisco IMC for server management. An authenticated attacker who gains access to the web interface can execute arbitrary commands with root privileges, effectively granting complete control over the managed device. This level of access enables attackers to modify system configurations, install malicious software, exfiltrate sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors within the infrastructure. The vulnerability particularly affects data centers and server farms where IMC is used for remote management, as it allows attackers to compromise multiple systems from a single authenticated session. The implications extend beyond individual device compromise to potential lateral movement within networks and escalation of privileges across entire server clusters.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0430 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. Cisco has released patches and updates for affected versions, which should be deployed immediately to prevent exploitation. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to IMC web interfaces, ensuring that only authorized personnel can reach these management endpoints. Access controls must be strengthened through multi-factor authentication and role-based access restrictions to minimize the attack surface. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries leverage legitimate system tools to execute malicious commands. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls to provide additional defense layers against similar injection vulnerabilities in management interfaces. Regular security assessments of management systems and continuous monitoring of system logs remain critical for early detection of potential exploitation attempts.