Overview

A vulnerability in Cisco Content Services Switches (Arrowpoint) allows a valid user to gain administrative access.

Description

Cisco CSS switches run Cisco WebNS software. A user with a valid account on a CSS device can gain unauthorized administrative access to the device. See the Cisco advisory available at <http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/707/arrowpoint-useraccnt-debug-pub.shtml&gt; for more information.

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Impact

Local users can gain administrative access to the switch.

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Solution

Update to version 4.01B19s of Cisco WebNS software.

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Vendor Information

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Cisco __ Affected

Updated: April 27, 2001

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----

`Cisco Security Advisory: Cisco Content Services Switch User Account
Vulnerability

Revision 1.0
For Public Release 2001 April 04 08:00 (UTC -0700)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary

The Cisco Content Services (CSS) switch product, also known as Arrowpoint,
has a security vulnerability in a previous release that allows
non-privileged users to escalate their privilege level, permitting them
configuration ability on affected units. This vulnerability can only be
exercised from a valid user account.
To remove the vulnerability, Cisco is offering free software upgrades to
revision 4.01B19s for all affected platforms. This defect is documented as
Cisco bug ID CSCdt32570.
This advisory is available at
<http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/707/arrowpoint-useraccnt-debug-pub.shtml&gt;.
Affected Products

The CSS switch is also known as the Arrowpoint product, and runs the Cisco
WebNS Software.
Cisco CSS 11050, CSS 11150, and CSS 11800 hardware platforms are affected
by this vulnerability. No other Cisco products are affected by this
vulnerability.
If the switch is running a version prior to 4.01B19s, then it is affected
and should be upgraded as soon as possible. You may type version at the
command line to find out software version number.
Details

A non-privileged user can issue a series of keystrokes to enter the debug
mode, and from that mode can gain administrative access.
Impact

This vulnerability allows a non-privileged user to become a super-user,
allowing unauthorized access to important files such as the configuration
files, and directory structure information. If access to the command line
interface is well protected and restricted, these vulnerabilities are
minimized.
Cisco Bug ID CSCdt32570 describes this vulnerability.
Software Versions and Fixes

CSCdt32570 is resolved in version 4.01B19s of Cisco WebNS software.
Non-privileged users can no longer enter debug mode.
Obtaining Fixed Software

Cisco is offering free software upgrades to eliminate this vulnerability
for all affected customers.
Customers with contracts should obtain upgraded software through their
regular update channels. For most customers, this means that upgrades
should be obtained through the Software Center on Cisco’s Worldwide Web
site at <http://www.cisco.com>. Specifically, this fix can be found at
<http://www.cisco.com/cgi-bin/tablebuild.pl/webns&gt;. Customers whose Cisco
products are provided or maintained through prior or existing agreement
with third-party support organizations such as Cisco Partners, authorized
resellers, or service providers should contact that support organization
for assistance with the upgrade, which should be free of charge.
Customers without contracts should get their upgrades by contacting the
Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC). TAC contacts are as follows:
* +1 800 553 2447 (toll-free from within North America)

• +1 408 526 7209 (toll call from anywhere in the world)
• e-mail: [email protected]
  See <http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/687/Directory/DirTAC.shtml&gt; for
  additional TAC contact information, including instructions and e-mail
  addresses for use in various languages.
  Give the URL of this notice as evidence of your entitlement to a free
  upgrade. Free upgrades for non-contract customers must be requested through
  the TAC. Please do not contact either “[email protected]” or
  “[email protected]” for software upgrades.
  Workarounds
  ===========
  Access control lists can be applied to restrict access to the Cisco CSS
  device, as well as additional firewall or access lists to restrict
  connection to the management interface. Access control lists also affect
  traffic to the Virtual interface of the Cisco CSS device, so must be
  applied with care. For further details on configuring access lists, please
  refer to the product documentation:
  <http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/webscale/css/bsccfggd/profiles&gt;
  .htm
  <http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/webscale/css/advcfggd/sgacleql&gt;
  .htm
  Additionally, the use of SSH to prevent snooping of the management traffic
  to the device is encouraged.
  Telnet service can also be disabled. This is not a feasible option for many
  customers in a co-location environment, but it is included in this section
  for customers that may have the ability to implement this configuration.
  CS150(config)# telnet access disabled
  Exploitation and Public Announcements
  =====================================
  Cisco knows of no public announcements or discussion of this vulnerability
  before the date of this notice. Cisco has had no reports of malicious
  exploitation of this vulnerability. This bug was identified and reported by
  Cisco’s own technical support staff.
  Status of This Notice: FINAL
  ============================
  This is a final field notice. Although Cisco cannot guarantee the accuracy
  of all statements in this notice, all of the facts have been checked to the
  best of our ability. Cisco does not anticipate issuing updated versions of
  this notice unless there is some material change in the facts. Should there
  be a significant change in the facts, Cisco may update this notice.
  Distribution
  ============
  This notice will be posted on Cisco’s Worldwide Web site at
  <http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/707/arrowpoint-useraccnt-debug-pub.shtml&gt;.
  In addition to Worldwide Web posting, a text version of this notice is
  clear-signed with the Cisco PSIRT PGP key and is posted to the following
  e-mail and Usenet news recipients:
  * [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected] (includes CERT/CC)
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• comp.dcom.sys.cisco
• Various internal Cisco mailing lists
  Future updates of this notice, if any, will be placed on Cisco’s Worldwide
  Web server, but may or may not be actively announced on mailing lists or
  newsgroups. Users concerned about this problem are encouraged to check the
  URL given above for any updates.
  Revision History
  ================
  Revision 2001-04-04Initial public release
  1.0
  Cisco Security Procedures
  =========================
  Complete information on reporting security vulnerabilities in Cisco
  products, obtaining assistance with security incidents, and registering to
  receive security information from Cisco, is available on Cisco’s Worldwide
  Web site at
  <http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/707/sec_incident_response.shtml&gt;. This
  includes instructions for press inquiries regarding Cisco security notices.
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  This notice is Copyright 2001 by Cisco Systems, Inc. This notice may be
  redistributed freely after the release date given at the top of the text,
  provided that redistributed copies are complete and unmodified, and include
  all date and version information.
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The Ciso advisory can be found at <http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/707/arrowpoint-useraccnt-debug-pub.shtml>

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23174248 Feedback>).

CVSS Metrics

Group	Score	Vector
Base
Temporal
Environmental

References

• <http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/707/arrowpoint-useraccnt-debug-pub.shtml&gt;
• <http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/2559&gt;
• <http://www.ciac.org/ciac/bulletins/l-069.shtml&gt;
• <http://www.uniras.gov.uk/l1/l2/l3/brief2001/UNIRAS Briefing - 4601- Cisco Content Services Switch User Account Vulnerability.txt&gt;

Acknowledgements

Our thanks to Cisco for the information provided in their advisory.

This document was written by Shawn V. Hernan.

Other Information

CVE IDs:	CVE-2001-0414
Severity Metric:	13.50 Date Public: