CVE-2023-20034 in Catalyst SD-WAN Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Vulnerability in the Elasticsearch database used in the of Cisco SD-WAN vManage software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to access the Elasticsearch configuration database of an affected device with the privileges of the elasticsearch user.
These vulnerability is due to the presence of a static username and password configured on the vManage. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request to a reachable vManage on port 9200. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to view the Elasticsearch database content.
There are workarounds that address this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-20034 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within Cisco SD-WAN vManage software that leverages Elasticsearch database components. This weakness exists in the configuration management of the vManage platform, which serves as the central management console for Cisco SD-WAN deployments. The vulnerability stems from the improper implementation of authentication mechanisms where static credentials are embedded within the software configuration, creating a persistent security weakness that remains exploitable across multiple versions of the affected software. The presence of these hard-coded credentials fundamentally violates security best practices and creates an attack surface that remote adversaries can readily exploit without requiring any specialized tools or advanced techniques.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a straightforward HTTP-based attack vector targeting port 9200, which is the default port used by Elasticsearch for its REST API interface. The static username and password combination are configured directly within the vManage software installation, making them accessible to any attacker who can reach the network endpoint. This flaw represents a classic case of credential hardcoding, which maps to CWE-798 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically addressing the use of hard-coded credentials in software applications. Attackers can craft simple HTTP requests to access the Elasticsearch database configuration, bypassing all standard authentication mechanisms and gaining immediate access to sensitive information stored within the database. The exploitation process does not require authentication credentials or any form of privilege escalation since the credentials are already embedded in the system configuration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with access to the Elasticsearch database with the privileges of the elasticsearch user account. This elevated access level allows adversaries to potentially extract sensitive configuration data, user credentials, network topology information, and other critical operational data that could be used for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the entire SD-WAN management infrastructure, as the elasticsearch user typically has broad access to the database contents. This access could enable attackers to modify configurations, inject malicious data, or establish persistence mechanisms within the vManage environment, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on Cisco SD-WAN for their network management. The attack surface is further expanded due to the fact that vManage devices are often exposed to external networks, making them prime targets for remote exploitation attempts.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations to protect their network infrastructure from potential exploitation. The most effective immediate solution involves disabling or restricting access to port 9200 through network firewalls and access control lists, preventing unauthorized access to the Elasticsearch REST API. Additionally, Cisco has provided workarounds that include updating to patched versions of the software, which address the static credential configuration issue by implementing proper authentication mechanisms and dynamic credential generation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing, as attackers could potentially use the compromised credentials to gain further access to network resources. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive network audits to identify any other systems with similar hard-coded credential configurations and implement proper credential management practices to prevent future occurrences of this type of vulnerability.