CVE-2019-1822 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 • 09/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1822 represents a critical security flaw in Cisco Prime Infrastructure and Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager web-based management interfaces. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the software's administrative web portal, creating a pathway for authenticated remote attackers to escalate their privileges and gain root-level access to the underlying operating system. The vulnerability specifically manifests when users upload files through the administrative interface, where the system fails to properly validate the content and nature of the uploaded files, allowing malicious payloads to be executed with the highest possible system privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-defined attack pattern that aligns with common software security weaknesses documented in CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation." Attackers can leverage this flaw by crafting malicious files designed to bypass the upload validation mechanisms, subsequently uploading these payloads through the web interface. The improper validation occurs at the application layer where the system should enforce strict checks on file types, content, and execution permissions before accepting and processing uploaded files. This failure creates an execution environment where attacker-controlled code can be interpreted and executed with root-level privileges, effectively compromising the entire system.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-1822 is severe and far-reaching for organizations relying on Cisco Prime Infrastructure or Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager for network management. A successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to establish persistent access, exfiltrate sensitive network data, modify network configurations, or deploy additional malicious tools within the network infrastructure. The root-level privileges gained through this vulnerability provide attackers with unrestricted access to all system resources, making it a particularly dangerous flaw for network operations centers that depend on these management platforms for critical infrastructure control. Organizations may experience service disruptions, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within their network environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-1822 should follow established cybersecurity frameworks and best practices. Organizations must implement immediate patch management procedures to address the vulnerability through official Cisco security advisories, as this vulnerability has been remediated in subsequent software versions. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the attack surface, including restricting administrative access to the web interfaces and implementing multi-factor authentication for all administrative accounts. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting user permissions and ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the upload functionality. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file upload activities, while conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar input validation vulnerabilities across their network infrastructure. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the potential consequences of inadequate security controls in network management systems.