CVE-2020-3467 in Identity Services Engine
Summary
by MITRE • 10/08/2020
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to modify parts of the configuration on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to improper enforcement of role-based access control (RBAC) within the web-based management interface. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to modify parts of the configuration. The modified configuration could either allow unauthorized devices onto the network or prevent authorized devices from accessing the network. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need valid Read-Only Administrator credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-3467 represents a critical authorization flaw within Cisco Identity Services Engine's web-based management interface. This issue stems from inadequate role-based access control implementation that permits authenticated users with read-only privileges to perform configuration modifications beyond their intended access levels. The vulnerability specifically affects Cisco ISE devices that operate with web-based management interfaces, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on these systems for network access control and identity management.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted HTTP requests that bypass the intended RBAC restrictions. Attackers with valid Read-Only Administrator credentials can manipulate the web interface to modify critical network configuration parameters, effectively undermining the security model designed to protect network access controls. This flaw demonstrates a classic improper access control vulnerability where the system fails to properly validate user permissions before executing configuration change operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms, and represents a failure in the principle of least privilege enforcement within the ISE management interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration modification to potentially compromise entire network security postures. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to either permit unauthorized devices onto the network, creating potential entry points for malicious actors, or to block legitimate devices from accessing network resources, resulting in denial of service conditions for authorized users. This dual nature of impact makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be used both for network infiltration and disruption. The security implications are further exacerbated by the fact that the attacker only needs read-only credentials, which are often less strictly protected than full administrative privileges.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of Cisco ISE software, reviewing and strengthening credential management practices, and implementing additional network segmentation controls to limit the impact of potential exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation and the need for comprehensive security testing of management interfaces. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be leveraged as part of broader network infiltration campaigns. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous configuration changes and establish robust incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts.