CVE-2021-1272 in Data Center Network Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 01/21/2021
A vulnerability in the session validation feature of Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass access controls and conduct a server-side request forgery (SSRF) attack on a targeted system. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of parameters in a specific HTTP request by an attacker. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request to an authenticated user of the DCNM web application. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to bypass access controls and gain unauthorized access to the Device Manager application, which provides access to network devices managed by the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-1272 resides within Cisco Data Center Network Manager's session validation mechanisms, representing a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity of access controls. This flaw specifically targets the validation of HTTP request parameters within the web application interface, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass authentication requirements and gain unauthorized access to sensitive network management functionalities. The vulnerability manifests through insufficient input validation that fails to properly sanitize or verify the legitimacy of request parameters, allowing attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted HTTP requests.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a server-side request forgery pattern where an unauthenticated attacker can construct malicious HTTP requests that appear to originate from legitimate authenticated users. This type of attack falls under the CWE-918 category of Server-Side Request Forgery, which is classified as a critical security weakness in web applications. The vulnerability enables attackers to leverage the trust relationships within the application to make unauthorized requests to internal systems or services that would normally be restricted from external access. The attack vector specifically targets the Device Manager application component, which serves as the primary interface for managing network devices within the DCNM environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it allows attackers to potentially compromise the entire network management infrastructure. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to view, modify, or delete network device configurations, access sensitive operational data, or even execute commands on managed network devices. This represents a significant threat to network security posture since DCNM serves as a central management platform for data center networks, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to gain control over critical network infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote exploitability without authentication makes it particularly dangerous as it requires no prior access credentials or network presence to initiate the attack.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to restrict access to DCNM web interfaces, deployment of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests, and implementation of strict access control policies that limit exposure to trusted networks only. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the need for comprehensive application security controls and regular vulnerability assessments. Additionally, Cisco has released patches and updates to address this vulnerability, which should be applied immediately to prevent exploitation. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in HTTP requests that might indicate exploitation attempts, and regular security audits should be conducted to ensure proper configuration and access controls are maintained throughout the network management infrastructure.