CVE-2024-20448 in Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller
Summary
by MITRE • 10/02/2024
A vulnerability in the Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (NDFC) software, formerly Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM), could allow an attacker with access to a backup file to view sensitive information.
This vulnerability is due to the improper storage of sensitive information within config only and full backup files. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by parsing the contents of a backup file that is generated from an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to access sensitive information, including NDFC-connected device credentials, the NDFC site manager private key, and the scheduled backup file encryption key.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-20448 resides within the Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller software, formerly known as Cisco Data Center Network Manager, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of backup file handling mechanisms. This weakness manifests in the improper storage of sensitive information within both config-only and full backup files generated by the affected system, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors who gain access to these backup repositories.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate cryptographic practices and information sanitization during the backup generation process, where sensitive credentials and cryptographic keys are stored in plaintext or with insufficient encryption mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-312 category of "Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 for "Modify System Image" and T1003 for "OS Credential Dumping." The improper handling of sensitive data within backup files creates a persistent risk where attackers can exploit this weakness by simply parsing the contents of backup files, without requiring additional sophisticated attack vectors or elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it provides attackers with comprehensive access to the entire network management infrastructure. Successful exploitation could reveal credentials for NDFC-connected network devices, compromising the security of the entire data center network topology. Additionally, access to the site manager private key enables attackers to establish unauthorized trust relationships and potentially manipulate the NDFC system's cryptographic operations. The scheduled backup file encryption key exposure creates a cascading security risk where attackers can decrypt future backups and maintain persistent access to the network management environment.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust backup file encryption protocols with strong cryptographic algorithms and key management practices. Organizations must ensure that backup files are stored in secure, access-controlled environments with proper authentication mechanisms and regular audit trails. The implementation of principle of least privilege access controls for backup file repositories, combined with regular security assessments and penetration testing, would significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing automated backup file sanitization processes that remove or encrypt sensitive information before backup generation, aligning with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 control AC-3 and ISO 27001 A.12.3.1 requirements for secure backup management and information classification.