CVE-2021-1585 in Adaptive Security Device Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 07/09/2021
A vulnerability in the Cisco Adaptive Security Device Manager (ASDM) Launcher could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on a user's operating system. This vulnerability is due to a lack of proper signature verification for specific code exchanged between the ASDM and the Launcher. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by leveraging a man-in-the-middle position on the network to intercept the traffic between the Launcher and the ASDM and then inject arbitrary code. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the user's operating system with the level of privileges assigned to the ASDM Launcher. A successful exploit may require the attacker to perform a social engineering attack to persuade the user to initiate communication from the Launcher to the ASDM.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-1585 resides within the Cisco Adaptive Security Device Manager (ASDM) Launcher component, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of code execution processes on affected systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the cryptographic signature verification mechanisms that should validate the authenticity of code exchanges between the ASDM and its launcher utility. The flaw manifests when the launcher fails to properly validate digital signatures associated with code segments transmitted during the communication process, creating an exploitable condition that adversaries can leverage for unauthorized system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to establish a man-in-the-middle position within the network infrastructure, positioning themselves to intercept and manipulate traffic flows between the ASDM and its launcher component. This interception capability enables the malicious actor to inject arbitrary code into the communication stream, bypassing the intended security controls that should prevent unauthorized modifications. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway demonstrates a clear failure in the security architecture's defense-in-depth principles, where the absence of robust signature verification creates a critical weakness that can be systematically exploited without requiring elevated privileges or advanced technical skills.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities, as successful exploitation grants attackers the ability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges assigned to the ASDM Launcher process. This privilege escalation potential means that attackers can perform actions ranging from data exfiltration and system reconnaissance to more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation to system administrator levels. The requirement for social engineering to convince users to initiate launcher communication adds another dimension to the threat landscape, as it demonstrates how human factors can compound technical vulnerabilities to create more effective attack vectors.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic issues related to insufficient verification of digital signatures, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in system design. From an adversarial perspective, the attack pattern follows ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers execution through command and scripting interpreters, while also incorporating elements of T1566 related to social engineering attacks. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw places it within the high-risk category of cybersecurity threats, particularly given that it requires no authentication credentials to exploit, making it accessible to any network attacker with appropriate positioning capabilities.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks, deployment of network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns, and implementation of certificate pinning mechanisms where possible. The most effective long-term solution involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that restore proper signature verification processes within the ASDM Launcher component. Additionally, security awareness training programs should address the social engineering aspects of exploitation, helping users recognize and resist attempts to manipulate them into initiating potentially compromised communications with network security devices.