CVE-2020-3597 in Nexus Data Broker
Summary
by MITRE • 10/08/2020
A vulnerability in the configuration restore feature of Cisco Nexus Data Broker software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to perform a directory traversal attack on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of configuration backup files. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading an administrator to restore a crafted configuration backup file. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to overwrite arbitrary files that are accessible through the affected software on an affected device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-3597 resides within the configuration restore functionality of Cisco Nexus Data Broker software, representing a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity of network device management operations. This flaw specifically targets the validation mechanisms implemented during configuration file restoration processes, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate system files through carefully crafted backup archives. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-22, which describes directory traversal attacks that occur when input validation is insufficient, allowing attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious configuration backup file that can bypass the software's validation checks during the restore process. When an administrator executes the restore operation on a vulnerable device, the system processes the malicious file without adequate sanitization, enabling the attacker to overwrite arbitrary files accessible through the affected software interface. This directory traversal capability stems from improper input validation and insufficient sanitization of file paths within the restore functionality, allowing attackers to navigate beyond the intended file system boundaries and modify critical system components.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwrite capabilities, as it provides attackers with the means to compromise the integrity and availability of network infrastructure. The requirement for administrator interaction to initiate the restore process does not eliminate the threat, as social engineering techniques can be employed to convince administrators to execute malicious backup files. This attack vector represents a significant risk to network security posture, potentially allowing attackers to modify critical configuration data, install malicious components, or disrupt normal operational procedures through unauthorized file system modifications.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including restricting network access to administrative functions, implementing strict file validation procedures for configuration backups, and conducting regular security assessments of network device management interfaces. The vulnerability's remote exploitability without authentication makes it particularly dangerous, as attackers can initiate attacks from external network locations without requiring prior access credentials. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation controls to limit access to devices running vulnerable software versions, while establishing robust monitoring procedures to detect suspicious restore activities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and persistence techniques, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to maintain long-term access to network infrastructure through modified system files.