CVE-2021-1354 in Unified Computing System
Summary
by MITRE • 02/05/2021
A vulnerability in the certificate registration process of Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) Central Software could allow an authenticated, adjacent attacker to register a rogue Cisco Unified Computing System Manager (UCSM). This vulnerability is due to improper certificate validation. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request to the registration API. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to register a rogue Cisco UCSM and gain access to Cisco UCS Central Software data and Cisco UCSM inventory data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-1354 resides within the certificate registration mechanism of Cisco Unified Computing System UCS Central Software, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the system's authentication framework. This issue affects organizations utilizing Cisco UCS Central for managing their unified computing infrastructure, where the software serves as a centralized management platform for multiple UCSM instances. The vulnerability stems from inadequate certificate validation procedures during the registration process, creating a pathway for malicious actors to compromise the system's trust model.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific attack vector involving crafted HTTP requests sent to the registration API endpoint. An authenticated attacker who maintains physical or network proximity to the target system can leverage this flaw to register unauthorized Cisco UCSM instances within the managed environment. This improper certificate validation allows attackers to bypass the normal security controls that should prevent unauthorized registration of management components. The vulnerability specifically targets the certificate verification logic that should ensure only legitimate UCSM instances can be added to the UCS Central inventory.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to gain comprehensive visibility into the managed infrastructure. Successful exploitation allows adversaries to register rogue UCSM instances that can then access sensitive data within the Cisco UCS Central Software, including detailed inventory information about all managed UCSM components. This access provides attackers with critical intelligence about the target environment, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The compromised system essentially becomes a staging ground for broader security breaches.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to limit access to the UCS Central software, enforcing strict access controls for the registration API endpoints, and monitoring for unauthorized registration activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as defined in cybersecurity frameworks. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566, specifically targeting the credential access and persistence capabilities through the exploitation of authentication mechanisms. Regular certificate audits and implementing automated monitoring for unauthorized registration attempts are essential defensive measures that should be deployed immediately to protect against exploitation of this flaw.