CVE-2019-1709 in Firepower Threat Defense
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to perform a command injection attack. The vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by injecting commands into arguments for a specific command. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute commands with root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1709 represents a critical command injection flaw within the command line interface of Cisco Firepower Threat Defense software, specifically targeting the FTD platform's authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability resides in the software's insufficient input validation processes, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate command arguments and execute arbitrary code. The flaw manifests when legitimate administrative commands are processed through the CLI, where inadequate sanitization of user inputs allows for the injection of malicious commands that bypass normal security controls. The vulnerability affects Cisco Firepower Threat Defense software versions prior to 6.4.0 and represents a significant risk to network security infrastructure deployments where these devices serve as primary threat detection and prevention systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated local attacker who possesses valid credentials to access the FTD device's command line interface. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting specially formatted command arguments that include malicious payloads, which are then executed within the context of the CLI process. The insufficient input validation means that the system fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters and command delimiters that would normally prevent command execution. This flaw allows attackers to inject shell commands that are subsequently interpreted and executed with elevated privileges, specifically root access, which provides complete control over the affected device. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-77 and CWE-88, representing command injection and improper neutralization of special elements used in os command, respectively, both of which are fundamental security weaknesses that enable arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-1709 extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over network security appliances that are critical to enterprise defense infrastructure. Once successfully exploited, attackers can modify firewall rules, disable security features, install backdoors, and establish persistent access points within the network environment. The vulnerability undermines the integrity of the entire security posture since Firepower devices are designed to protect network perimeters and detect malicious traffic. Attackers can leverage this privilege escalation to conduct advanced persistent threats, modify logging configurations to hide their activities, or even use the compromised device as a pivot point for lateral movement throughout the network. The implications are particularly severe in environments where FTD appliances are deployed as primary security controls, as the compromise of a single device can potentially expose the entire network to further attacks and data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-1709 must prioritize immediate software updates and patches from Cisco, specifically targeting the FTD software versions that address the input validation deficiencies. Organizations should implement strict access controls and privilege management policies, limiting local CLI access to only essential personnel with verified credentials. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous command execution patterns and unauthorized administrative activities. The implementation of secure configuration practices including disabling unnecessary services, enforcing strong authentication mechanisms, and conducting regular security audits can significantly reduce the attack surface. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network intrusion detection systems that can identify command injection attempts and monitor for suspicious CLI activities. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.003 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may use compromised devices to launch further attacks, while the underlying weakness aligns with T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques. Regular vulnerability assessments and security testing should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other network security components and ensure comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors.