CVE-2019-1634 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A security flaw in the Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) of Cisco Integrated Management Controller (IMC) allows an attacker to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges on the underlying operating system.

Understanding CVE-2019-1634

This CVE involves a command injection vulnerability in Cisco Integrated Management Controller (IMC) that could lead to unauthorized execution of commands with elevated privileges.

What is CVE-2019-1634?

The vulnerability arises from inadequate validation of user-provided commands in the IPMI of Cisco IMC. An attacker with admin privileges and network access to the IPMI can exploit this flaw to gain root access on the targeted device.

The Impact of CVE-2019-1634

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could result in the attacker acquiring root privileges on the affected device, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-1634

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allows an authorized attacker to insert carefully crafted commands that will be executed with root privileges on the OS below due to inadequate validation of user-provided commands.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco Unified Computing System E-Series Software (UCSE)
Vendor: Cisco
Versions Affected: < 2.0(13o)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: High
User Interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
CVSS Score: 7.2 (High Severity)
Impact: High (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability)

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from this vulnerability requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-provided patches and updates promptly.
Restrict network access to the IPMI interface.
Monitor and analyze network traffic for any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong access controls and authentication mechanisms.
Regularly audit and review system configurations for vulnerabilities.
Educate administrators and users about secure practices to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Cisco has released security updates to address this vulnerability. Ensure timely installation of these patches to mitigate the risk of exploitation.