CVE-2019-1821 in Prime Infrastructure
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Prime Infrastructure (PI) and Cisco Evolved Programmable Network (EPN) Manager could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute code with root-level privileges on the underlying operating system. This vulnerability exist because the software improperly validates user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by uploading a malicious file to the administrative web interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute code with root-level privileges on the underlying operating system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1821 represents a critical security flaw within Cisco Prime Infrastructure and Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager web-based management interfaces. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data, creating an avenue for malicious exploitation. The vulnerability affects organizations relying on these network management platforms for critical infrastructure operations, potentially exposing their entire network ecosystem to severe compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific attack vector involving file upload functionality within the administrative web interface. When an authenticated attacker successfully uploads a malicious file, the system's insufficient input validation allows the payload to be executed with root-level privileges on the underlying operating system. This privilege escalation occurs because the software does not adequately verify the integrity or nature of uploaded files before processing them, creating a pathway for arbitrary code execution at the highest system level.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-1821 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation provides attackers with complete control over the affected systems. This root-level access enables adversaries to modify system configurations, install persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive network data, and potentially compromise the entire network infrastructure managed by these platforms. The vulnerability affects organizations with extensive network management operations, where these tools serve as central points of control for critical network components, making the potential damage exponentially greater.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through official Cisco patches and updates to address this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should include implementing strict file upload validation controls, network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, and regular security assessments of management platform configurations. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying network monitoring solutions to detect suspicious file upload activities and establish robust access control policies. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, and represents a significant concern within the ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and persistence tactics, making comprehensive defensive measures essential for protecting critical network infrastructure assets.