CVE-2019-1618 in NX-OS
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the Tetration Analytics agent for Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches in standalone NX-OS mode could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary code as root. The vulnerability is due to an incorrect permissions setting. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by replacing valid agent files with malicious code. A successful exploit could result in the execution of code supplied by the attacker. Nexus 9000 Series Switches in Standalone NX-OS Mode are affected running versions prior to 7.0(3)I7(5).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1618 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Tetration Analytics agent implementation on Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches operating in standalone NX-OS mode. This weakness stems from improper file permissions that create an exploitable condition allowing authenticated local attackers to gain root-level system access. The Tetration Analytics agent serves as a network analytics and security monitoring component that collects and analyzes network traffic data, making it a prime target for attackers seeking persistent access to network infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically affects devices running NX-OS software versions prior to 7.0(3)I7(5), indicating that this issue has existed for several software releases and represents a significant security gap in the platform's access control mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the attacker's ability to manipulate agent files through legitimate authentication mechanisms, which then allows code execution with root privileges. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-276, which describes improper permissions for a resource, and demonstrates how inadequate access controls can lead to privilege escalation attacks. The attacker must first establish an authenticated session on the switch, which is typically a local administrative account with sufficient privileges to modify system files. Once authenticated, the attacker can replace legitimate agent binaries with malicious code, leveraging the incorrect permissions that permit modification of critical system components. The exploitation process essentially involves a file replacement attack where the malicious payload is designed to execute with elevated privileges, bypassing normal operating system security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected network switch infrastructure. Network administrators who rely on Tetration Analytics for security monitoring and threat detection could find their monitoring capabilities compromised, potentially allowing attackers to hide their activities within the network. The root-level access gained through this vulnerability enables attackers to modify network configurations, disable security features, install backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive network data. This represents a significant concern for enterprise networks where Nexus 9000 switches serve as core infrastructure components, as these devices often control critical network traffic flows and security policies. The vulnerability's presence in standalone NX-OS mode indicates that even switches not integrated with larger network management systems remain at risk, making the attack surface broader than initially apparent.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-1618 should focus on immediate software updates to the affected NX-OS versions, with the recommended fix being upgrade to 7.0(3)I7(5) or later releases. Organizations should also implement strict access controls and monitoring for the Tetration Analytics agent files, ensuring that only authorized administrators can modify system components. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security audits of system file permissions and integrity checks should be implemented to detect unauthorized modifications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the 'File Permission Modification' and 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' tactics, emphasizing the need for comprehensive endpoint protection measures. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with privilege escalation attempts, particularly in network infrastructure devices where such attacks could have the most significant impact on overall network security posture.