A vulnerability in Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to gain higher privileges than the account is assigned. The attacker will be granted the privileges of the last user to log in, regardless of whether those privileges are higher or lower than what should have been granted. The attacker cannot gain root-level privileges. The vulnerability is due to a limitation with how Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) grants privileges to remotely authenticated users when login occurs via SSH directly to the local management interface of the APIC. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to the targeted device. The attacker's privilege level will be modified to match that of the last user to log in via SSH. An exploit could allow the attacker to gain elevated privileges and perform CLI commands that should be restricted by the attacker's configured role. Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are workarounds that address this vulnerability. This advisory is available at the following link: https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20170816-apic1
APIC# show version
Role Id Name Version
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controller 1 APIC 1.2(3m)
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Additionally, customers may only download software for which they have a valid license, procured from Cisco directly, or through a Cisco authorized reseller or partner. In most cases this will be a maintenance upgrade to software that was previously purchased. Free security software updates do not entitle customers to a new software license, additional software feature sets, or major revision upgrades.
When considering software upgrades, customers are advised to regularly consult the advisories for Cisco products, which are available from the Cisco Security Advisories and Alerts page, to determine exposure and a complete upgrade solution.
In all cases, customers should ensure that the devices to upgrade contain sufficient memory and confirm that current hardware and software configurations will continue to be supported properly by the new release. If the information is not clear, customers are advised to contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) or their contracted maintenance providers.
Customers Without Service Contracts
Customers who purchase directly from Cisco but do not hold a Cisco service contract and customers who make purchases through third-party vendors but are unsuccessful in obtaining fixed software through their point of sale should obtain upgrades by contacting the Cisco TAC: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/support/tsd_cisco_worldwide_contacts.html
Customers should have the product serial number available and be prepared to provide the URL of this advisory as evidence of entitlement to a free upgrade.
Fixed Releases
Customers should upgrade to an appropriate release as indicated in the table in this section. To help ensure a complete upgrade solution, consider that this advisory is part of a collection that includes the following advisories:
Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller | First Fixed Release for This Vulnerability | Recommended Release for This Vulnerability and All Vulnerabilities Described in the Collection of Advisories |
---|---|---|
Prior to 2.0 |
Vulnerable; migrate to 2.2(2e) |
2.2(2e) |
2.0 |
Vulnerable; migrate to 2.2(2e) |
2.2(2e) |
2.1 | Vulnerable; migrate to 2.2(2e) | 2.2(2e) |
2.2 | 2.2(2e) | 2.2(2e) |
2.3 | 2.3(1f) | 2.3(1f) |
3.0 (future release) |
Not Vulnerable |
Not Vulnerable |
The software updates can be downloaded from the Software Center on Cisco.com by navigating to Products > Cloud and Systems Management > Policy and Automation Controllers > Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC).
Version | Description | Section | Status | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
1.0 | Initial public release. | - | Final | 2017-August-16 |
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