CVE-2019-1698 in Internet of Things Field Network Director
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based user interface of Cisco Internet of Things Field Network Director (IoT-FND) Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to gain read access to information that is stored on an affected system. The vulnerability is due to improper handling of XML External Entity (XXE) entries when parsing certain XML files. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by importing a crafted XML file with malicious entries, which could allow the attacker to read files within the affected application. Versions prior to 4.4(0.26) are affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1698 resides within the web-based user interface of Cisco Internet of Things Field Network Director software, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of affected systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the application's processing of XML External Entity (XXE) entries during XML file parsing operations, creating an avenue for malicious exploitation that could compromise sensitive data stored within the system. The issue manifests when the application fails to properly validate and sanitize XML input, allowing an attacker to manipulate the parsing process through crafted XML files that contain malicious XXE references. The vulnerability affects all versions of the IoT-FND software prior to 4.4(0.26), indicating that a significant portion of deployed systems would be susceptible to this attack vector without proper version verification and updates.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the established patterns of XXE attacks as classified under CWE-611, where the application's XML parser processes external entity references without adequate restrictions. When an authenticated attacker imports a malicious XML file containing crafted XXE entries, the system's XML processing component attempts to resolve these external references, potentially enabling file read operations on the underlying filesystem. This improper handling of XML external entities allows the attacker to leverage the application's XML parsing functionality as a reconnaissance and data exfiltration mechanism, bypassing normal access controls that would typically prevent such unauthorized file access. The attack requires authentication to the web-based interface, meaning that an attacker must first establish valid credentials, but once authenticated, the XXE vulnerability provides a means to escalate privileges and access sensitive information stored within the application's data repositories.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-1698 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the vulnerability creates potential pathways for further exploitation within the IoT network infrastructure. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to read configuration files, system logs, and other sensitive data that may contain authentication credentials, network topology information, or other valuable intelligence for subsequent attacks. The vulnerability's presence in IoT-FND software specifically impacts organizations managing large-scale IoT deployments, where the compromise of the management interface could provide attackers with visibility into connected devices and their operational status. This represents a significant risk in industrial IoT environments where network directors manage critical infrastructure components, as the information disclosure could enable attackers to plan more sophisticated attacks against the broader IoT ecosystem. The authenticated nature of the attack requires social engineering or credential compromise techniques to establish initial access, but once achieved, the XXE vulnerability provides persistent access to sensitive system information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-1698 should prioritize immediate software updates to version 4.4(0.26) or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the XXE processing vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive network monitoring to detect suspicious XML import activities and unauthorized file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of XML parser security configurations that disable external entity resolution and DTD processing represents a defensive measure that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage, preventing the exploitation of XXE vulnerabilities at the parser level. Network segmentation and access control measures should be reinforced to limit the scope of potential impact, ensuring that even if an attacker gains access to the IoT-FND interface, they cannot escalate privileges or access unrelated system components. Security awareness training for administrators should emphasize the risks associated with importing untrusted XML content and the importance of verifying file integrity before system integration. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should include verification of XML processing components to ensure that similar XXE vulnerabilities are not present in other application components, as this vulnerability pattern is commonly found in legacy systems and applications that process XML data.