CVE-2019-1864 in Integrated Management Controller
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Integrated Management Controller (IMC) Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to inject arbitrary commands that are executed with root privileges on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of command input by the affected software. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending malicious commands to the web-based management interface of the affected software. A successful exploit could allow the attacker, with read-only privileges, to inject and execute arbitrary, system-level commands with root privileges on an affected device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1864 resides within Cisco Integrated Management Controller IMC Software's web-based management interface, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of enterprise server management systems. This weakness manifests as insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize command parameters submitted through the web interface, creating a pathway for malicious exploitation that can compromise the entire system's security posture.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input within the command execution pipeline of the IMC software, directly correlating to CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation. This vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker to manipulate the web interface and inject arbitrary commands that are subsequently executed with root privileges on the affected device. The flaw specifically targets the command injection mechanism, where user-provided data bypasses proper validation checks, enabling attackers to execute system-level commands with the highest available privileges.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over affected devices including servers, storage systems, and networking equipment managed through the IMC platform. The exploitation requires only read-only privileges to the web interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by insiders or compromised low-privilege accounts. Once exploited, attackers gain the ability to modify system configurations, access sensitive data, install malware, or establish persistent backdoors, effectively compromising the entire infrastructure managed by the vulnerable IMC software.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. Cisco has released patches and software updates to address this vulnerability, which should be deployed immediately across all affected systems. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the web interface to trusted networks only. Regular security audits and monitoring of system logs for suspicious command execution patterns are essential for early detection of potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and multi-factor authentication for administrative access can significantly reduce the attack surface and potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a command injection technique under T1059, highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive measures including input validation, privilege separation, and continuous monitoring of system-level command execution.