CVE-2018-15379 in Prime Infrastructure
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in which the HTTP web server for Cisco Prime Infrastructure (PI) has unrestricted directory permissions could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to upload an arbitrary file. This file could allow the attacker to execute commands at the privilege level of the user prime. This user does not have administrative or root privileges. The vulnerability is due to an incorrect permission setting for important system directories. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by uploading a malicious file by using TFTP, which can be accessed via the web-interface GUI. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to run commands on the targeted application without authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15379 represents a critical security flaw in Cisco Prime Infrastructure's HTTP web server implementation that fundamentally compromises the system's integrity and confidentiality. This weakness stems from improper directory permission configurations that create unauthorized access pathways for remote attackers. The vulnerability affects Cisco Prime Infrastructure versions prior to 3.2.1 and 3.3.1, where the web server's directory structure lacks proper access controls, creating a dangerous attack surface that can be exploited without authentication. The flaw specifically targets system directories that should be protected from arbitrary file uploads, creating a pathway for malicious code execution within the constrained privilege environment of the prime user account.
The technical exploitation mechanism relies on the attacker's ability to leverage TFTP functionality accessible through the web interface GUI to upload malicious files to vulnerable directories. This process bypasses normal authentication mechanisms and directly exploits the misconfigured permissions to place executable payloads within the system. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and demonstrates how inadequate access control measures can lead to privilege escalation scenarios. Attackers can upload files that, when executed, provide them with command execution capabilities at the prime user level, which while not administrative privileges, still represents significant system compromise. The TFTP protocol's inherent trust model within the web interface creates an additional attack vector that traditional firewall rules might not adequately protect against.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within the network infrastructure that can be used for further reconnaissance and lateral movement. The prime user account, while not possessing root privileges, maintains access to critical system functions and configuration data that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. This vulnerability enables attackers to potentially escalate their privileges through additional exploitation techniques or to use the compromised system as a pivot point for attacking other network segments. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can operate from outside the network perimeter, making detection and mitigation more challenging. Organizations using affected Cisco Prime Infrastructure versions face significant risk of unauthorized system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential disruption of network management functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-15379 should prioritize immediate implementation of Cisco's security patches and updates, specifically targeting the affected Prime Infrastructure versions. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the web interface and TFTP services, particularly from untrusted networks. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that system directories have appropriate permission settings and that unnecessary services like TFTP are disabled when not required. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file upload activities and unauthorized access attempts to system directories. Additionally, organizations should implement regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar permission misconfigurations across their infrastructure, following ATT&CK framework guidance for defensive measures against privilege escalation techniques. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper access control configuration and regular security auditing practices to prevent unauthorized file execution scenarios.