CVE-2024-20477 in Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller
Summary
by MITRE • 10/02/2024
A vulnerability in a specific REST API endpoint of Cisco NDFC could allow an authenticated, low-privileged, remote attacker to upload or delete files on an affected device.
This vulnerability exists because of missing authorization controls on the affected REST API endpoint. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted API requests to the affected endpoint. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to upload files into a specific container or delete files from a specific folder within that container. This vulnerability only affects a specific REST API endpoint and does not affect the web-based management interface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-20477 represents a critical authorization flaw within Cisco NDFC's REST API infrastructure that exposes the system to unauthorized file manipulation by low-privileged attackers. This security weakness resides in a specific REST API endpoint that lacks proper access controls, creating a pathway for authenticated but unprivileged users to perform file operations that should be restricted to higher-privilege administrators. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic failure in the principle of least privilege implementation, where the system does not adequately verify user permissions before allowing file upload or deletion operations. The affected endpoint operates independently from the web-based management interface, indicating that the flaw is specifically within the API layer rather than the graphical user interface components. This distinction is important because it suggests the vulnerability may be more difficult to detect through traditional web interface monitoring while still maintaining the same operational impact on system security.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated attacker who can send crafted API requests to the specific endpoint. The flaw manifests as a missing authorization control that should validate whether the requesting user has sufficient privileges to perform file operations within designated containers and folders. The vulnerability allows attackers to upload files into specific containers and delete files from specific folders, creating potential opportunities for malicious payload deployment, data corruption, or privilege escalation within the system's file structure. The authentication requirement means that attackers must first establish legitimate credentials, but once authenticated, they can leverage this flaw to perform unauthorized file operations that typically require elevated privileges. This creates a scenario where attackers can gain unauthorized access to file system operations without needing to escalate their privileges through other means, making the attack vector more direct and potentially more damaging.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it could enable attackers to compromise the integrity of the NDFC system through malicious file uploads. The ability to delete files from specific folders within containers could disrupt system operations, remove critical configuration files, or eliminate forensic evidence of the attack. File upload capabilities could allow attackers to deploy malware, backdoors, or other malicious payloads that persist within the system's containerized environment. The vulnerability's scope is limited to a specific REST API endpoint, which means that attackers cannot leverage this flaw to access other system components or interfaces, but the targeted file operations within the containerized environment still pose significant risks to system integrity and availability. This limitation also suggests that the vulnerability may be easier to contain and remediate compared to broader system-level flaws, though the potential for data compromise remains substantial.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-20477 should focus on implementing proper authorization controls at the affected REST API endpoint level. Network administrators should ensure that all API requests undergo rigorous permission validation before allowing file operations to proceed, implementing role-based access controls that restrict file manipulation capabilities to authorized administrators only. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which describes improper authorization issues in software systems, and could potentially be leveraged by threat actors following ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and persistence. Organizations should monitor API access logs for unusual file upload or deletion patterns, particularly from low-privileged accounts, and implement additional security controls such as API request rate limiting and detailed audit trails. Cisco has likely provided patches or workarounds to address this specific authorization flaw, and organizations should prioritize applying these updates to prevent exploitation. The remediation approach should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the authorization controls are properly implemented without disrupting legitimate administrative functions while maintaining the system's operational integrity.