CVE-2020-26077 in IoT Field Network Director
Summary
by MITRE • 11/18/2020
A vulnerability in the access control functionality of Cisco IoT Field Network Director (FND) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to view lists of users from different domains that are configured on an affected system. The vulnerability is due to improper access control. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending an API request that alters the domain for a requested user list on an affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to view lists of users from different domains on the affected system.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-26077 represents a critical access control flaw within Cisco IoT Field Network Director version 2.1.0 and earlier releases. This issue stems from inadequate validation of user permissions when processing API requests related to user account enumeration. The affected system fails to properly enforce domain-based access restrictions, creating a pathway for unauthorized information disclosure. The vulnerability specifically impacts the authentication and authorization mechanisms that govern user access to multi-domain environments within the IoT network management platform.
This weakness manifests through improper access control implementation that allows authenticated attackers to manipulate API parameters and retrieve user listings from domains they should not have access to. The flaw operates at the application layer where API endpoints responsible for user enumeration do not adequately validate the requesting user's domain permissions before returning sensitive information. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms, making it a direct violation of fundamental security principles that protect against unauthorized data access. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specially formatted API requests that alter domain parameters, effectively bypassing the intended access restrictions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the IoT network infrastructure. An authenticated attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain visibility into user accounts across multiple domains, which may reveal network topology information, user roles, and potentially sensitive organizational structures. This reconnaissance capability could serve as a foundation for privilege escalation attacks or social engineering campaigns targeting specific users within the network. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the system's user management and authentication framework, potentially exposing the entire IoT ecosystem to unauthorized access. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1087.001 - Account Discovery, where attackers can enumerate accounts within the system without proper authorization.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-26077 should prioritize immediate implementation of the vendor-provided security patches and updates for Cisco IoT Field Network Director. Organizations must ensure that all affected systems are updated to version 2.1.1 or later, which includes the necessary access control fixes. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring of API access patterns to detect anomalous requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. The configuration of proper access controls and role-based permissions should be reviewed and enforced across all user accounts within the IoT environment. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar access control weaknesses in other network management systems. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and limiting direct access to management interfaces can reduce the attack surface and prevent unauthorized access to the vulnerable API endpoints.