CVE-2018-0440 in Data Center Network Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web interface of Cisco Data Center Network Manager could allow an authenticated application administrator to execute commands on the underlying operating system with root-level privileges. The vulnerability is due to incomplete input validation of user input within an HTTP request. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to the application and then sending a crafted HTTP request to the targeted application. A successful exploit could allow the authenticated attacker to issue commands on the underlying operating system as the root user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0440 represents a critical command injection flaw within Cisco Data Center Network Manager's web interface. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-provided data within HTTP requests. The vulnerability specifically affects authenticated application administrators who possess legitimate access credentials to the system. Attackers exploiting this flaw can leverage their authenticated session to craft malicious HTTP requests that bypass normal security controls and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with the highest possible privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a classic command injection attack vector where user input is improperly validated and subsequently passed to system commands without adequate sanitization. When an authenticated administrator sends a crafted HTTP request containing malicious input, the application fails to properly validate or escape this input before using it in system-level operations. This incomplete input validation creates a direct pathway for command execution that operates at the root level of the underlying operating system, effectively granting attackers complete control over the affected system. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear failure in input validation practices that aligns with common weakness patterns described in CWE-77 and CWE-89.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. An authenticated attacker with administrative privileges can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with root-level permissions, potentially leading to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, or disruption of network services. The attack requires only legitimate administrative credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or attackers who have obtained administrative access through other means. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of the application by allowing authenticated users to bypass normal access controls and system-level protections.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Cisco security patches and updates released to address the command injection flaw. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit administrative access to the Data Center Network Manager application. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls can help detect and prevent malicious HTTP requests. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter, and demonstrates the importance of proper input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network management applications and ensure comprehensive monitoring for suspicious administrative activities that could indicate exploitation attempts.