CVE-2019-16029 in Smart Software Manager On-Prem
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the application programming interface (API) of Cisco Smart Software Manager On-Prem could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to change user account information which can prevent users from logging in, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition of the web interface. The vulnerability is due to the lack of input validation in the API. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request to an affected device. An exploit could allow the attacker to change or corrupt user account information which could grant the attacker administrator access or prevent legitimate user access to the web interface, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16029 resides within Cisco Smart Software Manager On-Prem, a critical component for managing software deployments in enterprise environments. This vulnerability represents a significant security flaw that undermines the integrity of user authentication mechanisms within the application programming interface. The flaw manifests as insufficient input validation controls that fail to properly sanitize or verify data received through API endpoints, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate user account configurations. The affected system operates under the assumption that all incoming API requests are legitimate, thereby failing to implement proper authentication checks or data integrity validation measures that should be fundamental to secure API design practices.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the absence of proper input validation controls within the API layer, which aligns with CWE-20, "Improper Input Validation," a foundational weakness that frequently leads to various security breaches. Attackers can craft specifically formatted HTTP requests that bypass normal authentication procedures and directly manipulate user account information through the vulnerable API endpoints. This lack of input sanitization allows attackers to inject malformed data that can alter user credentials, permissions, or account status without requiring valid authentication credentials. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple account modification as it can be leveraged to achieve administrative privileges or completely lock out legitimate users from accessing the web interface. The exploitation process typically involves sending crafted requests that target specific API endpoints designed for user management operations, where the system fails to validate the integrity and legitimacy of the provided input parameters.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability present a severe threat to the availability and integrity of the Cisco Smart Software Manager On-Prem environment. When exploited, the vulnerability can result in complete denial of service conditions where legitimate users are unable to access the web interface due to account corruption or modification. This disruption can cascade into broader operational impacts, particularly in environments where the Smart Software Manager is critical for software deployment and management activities. The vulnerability's remote and unauthenticated nature means that attackers can exploit it from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that expose these management interfaces to external networks. The potential for privilege escalation through account manipulation means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with administrative access to the entire management interface, potentially enabling them to modify software configurations, access sensitive data, or disrupt critical deployment operations.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies that address both the immediate vulnerability and underlying architectural weaknesses. The primary recommendation involves implementing strict input validation controls at all API endpoints, ensuring that all incoming data is properly sanitized and validated before processing. This approach aligns with security best practices outlined in the OWASP API Security Top 10 and addresses the core weakness identified in the vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit exposure of the vulnerable API endpoints to only authorized administrative networks. Additionally, implementing rate limiting and monitoring controls can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts by identifying anomalous API usage patterns. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar validation weaknesses in other API components, while maintaining up-to-date software patches to address known vulnerabilities. The implementation of automated security scanning tools and continuous monitoring solutions can provide early detection of exploitation attempts and help maintain the integrity of user authentication mechanisms within the Smart Software Manager environment.