CVE-2019-1835 in Aironet Access Point
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco Aironet Access Points (APs) could allow an authenticated, local attacker to access sensitive information stored in an AP. The vulnerability is due to improper sanitization of user-supplied input in specific CLI commands. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by accessing the CLI of an affected AP with administrator privileges and issuing crafted commands that result in directory traversal. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to view system files on the affected device, which could contain sensitive information. Software versions 8.8 and 8.9 are affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1835 represents a critical security flaw in Cisco Aironet Access Point command line interfaces that undermines the integrity of local administrative access controls. This vulnerability specifically targets the input validation mechanisms within the CLI implementation, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to bypass normal security boundaries and gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information. The flaw exists in software versions 8.8 and 8.9 of the Cisco Aironet AP firmware, affecting a significant portion of enterprise wireless infrastructure deployments where these devices serve as critical network access points.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on improper sanitization of user-supplied input within specific CLI commands that handle directory traversal operations. When an authenticated administrator issues crafted commands through the CLI interface, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the input parameters, allowing maliciously constructed paths to be interpreted by the underlying file system. This directory traversal vulnerability enables attackers to navigate beyond the intended file access boundaries and retrieve system files that contain sensitive configuration data, authentication credentials, or other proprietary information. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal and CWE-77 Path Traversal, both of which fall under the broader category of path manipulation attacks that have been consistently exploited in enterprise environments. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to the MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059.006 Command and Scripting Interpreter with specific focus on CLI exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-1835 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the sensitive data accessible through this vulnerability could include network configuration parameters, wireless security credentials, and potentially system-level authentication tokens. An attacker with administrative privileges on an Aironet AP could leverage this vulnerability to escalate their access to other network segments or systems that rely on the wireless infrastructure for connectivity. The exposure of system files may reveal internal network topology information, device configurations, or cryptographic keys that could be used to compromise additional network components. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise wireless networks where Aironet APs serve as primary access points for employee and guest connectivity, creating potential attack vectors that could lead to broader network compromise and data exfiltration.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest Cisco security patches that address the input validation flaws in the CLI implementation, ensuring that all affected Aironet APs are updated to versions that properly sanitize user input before processing directory traversal commands. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional access controls and monitoring for suspicious CLI activity, particularly around commands that could trigger directory traversal operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in network device management interfaces and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of CLI components. Organizations should also review their access control policies to ensure that administrative privileges are properly restricted and that least-privilege principles are enforced. Regular security assessments of network infrastructure components should include evaluation of CLI interfaces for similar input validation vulnerabilities, as this class of weakness continues to represent a significant attack surface in enterprise networking environments.