Cisco Unified Computing System (Standalone): Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command
CVE-2024-20356 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command vulnerability in Cisco Unified Computing System (Standalone) from Cisco, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.7 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with administrator privileges, without any action from a user. Affected Cisco Unified Computing System (Standalone) versions: 3.0(1c); 3.0(1d); 3.0(3a), and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 29.6% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 1.78% of all scored CVEs.
EPSS places it among the vulnerabilities most likely to be exploited soon.
What to do
- Check which version of Cisco Unified Computing System (Standalone) you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco | Cisco Unified Computing System (Standalone) | 3.0(1c); 3.0(1d); 3.0(3a); 3.0(3b); 3.0(3e); 3.0(4a); 3.0(4d); 3.0(4e); and 32 more ranges | Not stated |
| Cisco | Cisco Unified Computing System E-Series Software (UCSE) | 2.1.0; 2.4.0; 2.4.1; 2.4.2; 3.2.1; 3.2.2; 3.2.3; 3.2.4; and 28 more ranges | Not stated |
| Cisco | unified_computing_system | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Cisco | unified_computing_system_e-series | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by CNA (cisco.com).
Official description
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Integrated Management Controller (IMC) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker with Administrator-level privileges to perform command injection attacks on an affected system and elevate their privileges to root. This vulnerability is due to insufficient user input validation. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted commands to the web-based management interface of the affected software. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to elevate their privileges to root.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command
The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command before it is sent to a downstream component.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
- For any data that will be used to generate a command to be executed, keep as much of that data out of external control as possible. For example, in web applications, this may require storing the data locally in the session's state instead of sending it out to the client in a hidden form field.
- 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.
More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command vulnerabilities (CWE-78)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Cisco Unified Computing System (Standalone)
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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