CVE-2019-1818 in Prime Infrastructure
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Prime Infrastructure and Cisco Evolved Programmable Network (EPN) Manager software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to download and view files within the application that should be restricted. This vulnerability is due to improper sanitization of user-supplied input in HTTP request parameters that describe filenames. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by using directory traversal techniques to submit a path to a desired file location. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to view application files that may contain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2023
This vulnerability resides in the web-based management interface of Cisco Prime Infrastructure and Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager software, representing a critical security flaw that enables authenticated remote attackers to access restricted application files. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the HTTP request parameter handling, specifically when processing filename parameters. The flaw allows malicious actors to exploit directory traversal techniques through carefully crafted HTTP requests that manipulate file path parameters to access files outside the intended directory structure. This represents a classic path traversal vulnerability that violates fundamental security principles of access control and input sanitization.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the improper sanitization of user-supplied input in HTTP request parameters that describe filenames, creating a pathway for attackers to navigate beyond the intended file system boundaries. When the application processes these parameters without adequate validation or sanitization, it fails to prevent directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that would normally be rejected by proper input validation. The vulnerability specifically affects the web-based management interface components where users can request specific files, and the lack of proper path validation allows attackers to construct malicious requests that bypass normal access controls. This flaw aligns with CWE-22, which categorizes directory traversal vulnerabilities as a common weakness in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as attackers can potentially extract sensitive information from restricted application files that may contain configuration data, user credentials, system logs, or other confidential materials. The authenticated nature of the attack means that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials to exploit this vulnerability, but once achieved, the scope of potential damage increases significantly. This vulnerability can lead to information disclosure, system compromise, and potential escalation of privileges within the affected network management environment. The attack vector through the web interface makes it particularly dangerous as it can be executed from any location with network access to the affected systems, potentially enabling remote exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent directory traversal attacks by filtering out malicious path sequences. Organizations should apply the latest security patches provided by Cisco to address this vulnerability, while also implementing network segmentation to limit access to management interfaces. Additional protective measures include enforcing strict access controls, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments of management interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential access through exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.