CVE-2018-0433 in SD-WAN Solution
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the command-line interface (CLI) in the Cisco SD-WAN Solution could allow an authenticated, local attacker to inject arbitrary commands that are executed with root privileges. The vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to the device and submitting crafted input to the CLI utility. The attacker must be authenticated to access the CLI utility. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute commands with root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0433 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Cisco SD-WAN Solution's command-line interface implementation. This security weakness resides in the authentication and input processing mechanisms of the network infrastructure software, specifically targeting the privileged execution environment where administrative commands are processed. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to properly validate user input submitted through the CLI utility, creating a pathway for malicious command injection attacks. Security researchers have classified this issue as a privilege escalation vulnerability that directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of network operations.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2018-0433 relies on the fundamental principle of insufficient input validation, which falls under the CWE-20 category of "Improper Input Validation." An attacker must first authenticate to the device using legitimate credentials to access the command-line interface, establishing a baseline of legitimate access. Once authenticated, the malicious actor can submit crafted input sequences that bypass normal input sanitization procedures. The vulnerability occurs because the CLI utility does not adequately sanitize or escape user-provided input before processing, allowing specially crafted commands to be interpreted and executed with the highest privilege level. This design flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with root privileges, effectively compromising the entire system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of Cisco SD-WAN deployments. Network administrators who rely on these solutions for critical infrastructure management face significant risk from unauthorized command execution, potentially enabling attackers to modify network configurations, extract sensitive data, or establish persistent access points within the network environment. The vulnerability affects the availability and integrity of network services, as attackers could potentially disrupt operations or gain unauthorized access to confidential information. This type of attack vector aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code with elevated privileges. Organizations using Cisco SD-WAN solutions face potential exposure to advanced persistent threats that could leverage this vulnerability for broader network infiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0433 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. Cisco released patches and software updates addressing this vulnerability through their regular security advisory process, which organizations should implement immediately upon availability. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact by restricting unauthorized access to the CLI interface. Implementing proper input validation mechanisms and regular security assessments can prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future deployments. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous command execution patterns and establish robust incident response procedures. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input sanitization in network infrastructure software, emphasizing the need for continuous security testing and vulnerability assessment programs to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.