CVE-2019-15997 in DNA Spaces Connector
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in Cisco DNA Spaces: Connector could allow an authenticated, local attacker to perform a command injection attack and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system as root. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of arguments passed to a specific CLI command. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by including malicious input during the execution of the affected command. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system as root.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15997 resides within Cisco DNA Spaces: Connector software, representing a critical security flaw that enables authenticated local attackers to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges. This vulnerability specifically targets the command-line interface functionality of the system, where insufficient input validation creates a pathway for malicious command injection attacks. The flaw exists in the processing of arguments passed to a particular CLI command, where the system fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied inputs before executing them within the operating system context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic command injection pattern where an attacker with local access can manipulate the CLI command execution flow by injecting malicious payloads into argument parameters. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-77 Command Injection, which is categorized under the broader weakness of insufficient input validation in security-critical applications. The attacker's ability to execute commands as root demonstrates a severe privilege escalation vulnerability that bypasses normal access controls and system security boundaries. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires only local authentication, meaning that any user with legitimate access to the system can potentially exploit this flaw.
Operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate command execution capabilities, as it provides attackers with complete control over the underlying operating system. The ability to execute arbitrary commands as root enables attackers to modify system configurations, install malicious software, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistent access to the compromised system. This vulnerability represents a significant threat to network infrastructure security, particularly in enterprise environments where Cisco DNA Spaces solutions are deployed for network monitoring and management. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that local access can be gained through various legitimate means, including administrative accounts or compromised user credentials, making the exploitation relatively accessible to determined attackers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-15997 should prioritize immediate software updates from Cisco to address the command injection vulnerability through proper input validation mechanisms. Organizations must implement strict access controls and privilege management to limit local system access, as this vulnerability requires local authentication to exploit. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of system commands through command-line interfaces. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting and input sanitization measures can provide additional defense-in-depth layers against similar command injection attacks, while regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify potential exploitation vectors and ensure system integrity.