CVE-2019-1829 in Aironet
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco Aironet Series Access Points (APs) could allow an authenticated, local attacker to gain access to the underlying Linux operating system (OS) without the proper authentication. The attacker would need valid administrator device credentials. The vulnerability is due to improper validation of user-supplied input for certain CLI commands. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to an affected device and submitting crafted input for a CLI command. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to obtain access to the underlying Linux OS without proper authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1829 represents a critical security flaw within the command line interface of Cisco Aironet Series Access Points, specifically targeting the underlying Linux operating system architecture. This weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the device's command processing subsystem, creating a pathway for authenticated local attackers to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to the underlying operating system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only legitimate administrative credentials to exploit, meaning that any attacker who has already compromised administrative access to a device can leverage this flaw to achieve deeper system compromise.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper validation of user-supplied input for specific CLI commands within the access point's operating system. When administrators interact with the device through the command line interface, certain commands fail to properly sanitize or validate the input parameters provided by users. This input validation failure creates a potential injection vector where crafted malicious input can be processed by the underlying Linux system without appropriate security checks. The flaw essentially allows command injection or shell escape techniques to be executed through carefully constructed CLI inputs that bypass normal authentication mechanisms. This behavior aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation as a fundamental security weakness that can lead to various injection attacks and privilege escalation scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with direct access to the underlying Linux operating system of the affected access points. This access enables attackers to manipulate system configurations, install malicious software, modify network settings, or extract sensitive information from the device. The compromised access point could then serve as a pivot point for further attacks within the network infrastructure, potentially allowing lateral movement to other network segments. Network administrators face significant risks including unauthorized network monitoring, data exfiltration, and potential disruption of wireless services. The vulnerability also increases the attack surface for advanced persistent threats that may attempt to establish long-term presence within the network infrastructure. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be leveraged for initial access and persistence within targeted environments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest Cisco security patches and firmware updates that address the input validation flaws in the CLI interface. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit administrative access to only authorized personnel and systems. Regular monitoring of CLI command logs should be implemented to detect anomalous input patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Device hardening practices should include disabling unnecessary CLI features and implementing strict administrative access controls. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in embedded systems, particularly those running Linux-based operating systems in network infrastructure devices. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments of their wireless infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other network components. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for robust security controls in network infrastructure devices that are often overlooked in traditional security monitoring efforts.