CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2015-0666Exploited in the wildNVD status: Analyzed

Cisco Prime Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) Directory Traversal

CVE-2015-0666 is a high-severity improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory vulnerability in Prime Data Center Network Manager from Cisco, with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Prime Data Center Network Manager versions: 7.0\(2\) and earlier; 6.3\(1\); 6.3\(2\), and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on March 25, 2022, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.

Patch now

Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.

What to do

  1. Check which version of Prime Data Center Network Manager you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. CISA's required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
  3. Read the advisory on tools.cisco.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  4. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
CiscoPrime Data Center Network Manager7.0\(2\) and earlier; 6.3\(1\); 6.3\(2\); 7.0\(1\)Not stated

Version data comes from NVD's product matching. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Access vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network.
Access complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed.
Authentication
NoneNo login is needed.
Confidentiality
CompleteAll data can be read.
Integrity
NoneNothing can be modified.
Availability
NoneAvailability is not affected.

Vector: AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:N/A:N. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.17.5HighCISA (ADP)
CVSS 2.07.8HighNVD

Official description

Directory traversal vulnerability in the fmserver servlet in Cisco Prime Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) before 7.1(1) allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a crafted pathname, aka Bug ID CSCus00241.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory

The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
  • Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid.
  • Use an application firewall that can detect attacks against this weakness. It can be beneficial in cases in which the code cannot be fixed (because it is controlled by a third party), as an emergency prevention measure while more comprehensive software assurance measures are applied, or to provide defense in depth.

More Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory vulnerabilities (CWE-22)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
  3. Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
  4. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
  5. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Third-party and government advisories

Recent Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory vulnerabilities

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