CVE-2019-1896 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Integrated Management Controller (IMC) could allow an authenticated attacker to inject commands and gain root privileges.

Understanding CVE-2019-1896

What is CVE-2019-1896?

The vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco IMC allows an attacker to inject commands through the Certificate Signing Request function, leading to unauthorized root access.

The Impact of CVE-2019-1896

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 7.2, indicating a high severity level with significant impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-1896

Vulnerability Description

An authenticated attacker with remote access can exploit the weakness in the web-based management interface of Cisco IMC to inject commands and gain root privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco Unified Computing System E-Series Software (UCSE)
Vendor: Cisco
Versions Affected: Less than 3.0(4k)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attacker submits a specially crafted Certificate Signing Request (CSR) through the web-based management interface to execute arbitrary commands with full root access.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the necessary patches provided by Cisco to address the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any signs of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and firmware to prevent security vulnerabilities.
Implement strong access controls and authentication mechanisms to limit unauthorized access.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Cisco has released patches to mitigate the vulnerability. Ensure timely installation of these patches to secure the system.