CVE-2019-12686 in FirePOWER Management Center
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of Cisco Firepower Management Center (FMC) Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary SQL injections on an affected device. These vulnerabilities exist due to improper input validation. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by sending crafted SQL queries to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to view information that they are not authorized to view, make changes to the system that they are not authorized to make, and execute commands within the underlying operating system that may affect the availability of the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-12686 represents a critical security flaw in Cisco Firepower Management Center software that exposes organizations to significant operational risks. This vulnerability specifically affects the web-based management interface of the FMC platform, which serves as the central control point for network security policies and threat management across enterprise environments. The affected system operates within the cybersecurity infrastructure of many organizations, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could compromise the integrity and availability of critical network security operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web interface, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database through SQL injection techniques.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted SQL queries that bypass proper input sanitization measures implemented within the FMC web interface. This flaw falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a critical weakness in software applications that process untrusted data. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by authenticating to the system and then submitting malicious input through the web interface, which gets processed without proper validation. The vulnerability exists across multiple components of the FMC software, making it particularly challenging to remediate as different attack vectors may be available to exploit the same underlying input validation flaw. This weakness creates a persistent threat that could be exploited repeatedly until proper patches are applied to address the root cause of the improper input handling.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-12686 extends beyond simple data theft or unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with comprehensive system compromise capabilities that can severely disrupt network security operations. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands within the underlying operating system, potentially leading to complete system takeover and unauthorized access to sensitive network infrastructure data. The vulnerability enables attackers to view information they should not be authorized to access, including security policies, network configurations, and threat intelligence that organizations rely upon for their cybersecurity posture. Additionally, the ability to make unauthorized changes to system configurations could result in the complete compromise of network security controls, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security measures and establish persistent access to the network infrastructure. This capability directly impacts the availability of the device and the overall security of the network environment.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation efforts to address the SQL injection weakness in their FMC deployments. The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the latest security patches provided by Cisco to resolve the input validation issues that enable the exploitation. Security teams should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for Valid Accounts and T1046 for Network Service Scanning indicates that attackers may leverage compromised credentials to probe and exploit the system. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected FMC software and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for unusual SQL query patterns can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts.