CVE-2021-1302 in SD-WAN vManage Software
Summary
by MITRE • 01/21/2021
Multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of Cisco SD-WAN vManage Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to bypass authorization and modify the configuration of an affected system, gain access to sensitive information, and view information that they are not authorized to access. For more information about these vulnerabilities, see the Details section of this advisory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2021
The CVE-2021-1302 vulnerability affects the web-based management interface of Cisco SD-WAN vManage Software, representing a critical authorization bypass flaw that enables authenticated remote attackers to compromise system integrity and confidentiality. This vulnerability resides within the software's administrative web interface, which serves as the primary management point for SD-WAN networks. The affected system operates at the network operations center level where administrators configure and monitor distributed network infrastructures, making this a high-value target for cyber adversaries seeking to disrupt network operations or extract sensitive data.
The technical flaw manifests as insufficient authorization controls within the vManage web interface, allowing attackers who have already established authentication credentials to escalate their privileges and access unauthorized system functions. This weakness specifically impacts the software's privilege management mechanisms and access control enforcement, creating pathways for lateral movement and unauthorized configuration changes. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of user permissions and inadequate session management within the web application framework, enabling attackers to manipulate API endpoints and web interface controls to perform actions beyond their designated access levels.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables comprehensive system compromise through configuration modification capabilities. Attackers can alter network policies, modify device configurations, and access sensitive operational data including user credentials, network topology information, and system logs. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or additional credentials, making detection and prevention particularly challenging. Organizations relying on SD-WAN vManage for critical network operations face significant risk of service disruption, data exfiltration, and potential network infiltration that could affect thousands of connected devices across distributed infrastructure.
Security controls for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch deployment and enhanced monitoring of administrative access patterns. Cisco has released software updates addressing this vulnerability through the standard security advisory process, requiring organizations to upgrade to patched versions of vManage software. Network segmentation strategies should be implemented to limit access to administrative interfaces, while comprehensive logging and monitoring of administrative activities should be enabled to detect anomalous behavior. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285 (Improper Authorization) and represents a significant concern under ATT&CK framework category T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may leverage compromised credentials to exploit this authorization bypass. Organizations should also implement multi-factor authentication for administrative access and regularly audit access controls to prevent unauthorized modifications to critical network infrastructure configuration.