Multiple Vulnerabilities in Cisco SD-WAN vManage Software Could Allow for Arbitrary Code Execution

DESCRIPTION:
Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Cisco SD-WAN vManage
Software, the most severe of which could allow for arbitrary code
execution. Cisco SD-WAN provides a centralized management interface of
an organization’s WAN including their cloud and data center environment.
Successful exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities
could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute code on the
affected systems. Depending on the privileges associated with the
application, an attacker could then install programs; view, change, or
delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. Applications
configured to have fewer restrictions on the system could be less
impacted than those who operate with elevated privileges.

IMPACT:
Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Cisco SD-WAN vManage
Software, the most severe of which could allow for arbitrary code
execution. Details of these vulnerabilities are as follows:

* A vulnerability exists due to improper validation of user-supplied
input in a remote management component which could allow for a buffer
overflow condition leading to arbitrary code execution. (CVE-2021-1479)
* A vulnerability exists due to improper validation within a user
management function could allow an authenticated, local attacker to gain
escalated privileges on the underlying operating system. (CVE-2021-1137)
* A vulnerability exists due to improper validation of input to the
system file transfer functions could allow an authenticated, local
attacker to gain escalated privileges on the underlying operating
system. (CVE-2021-1480)

Successful exploitation of the most severe of these vulnerabilities
could allow for remote code execution in the context of the logged-on
user. Depending on the privileges associated with the user, an attacker
could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new
accounts with full user rights. Users whose accounts are configured to
have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than those
who operate with administrative user rights.

SYSTEM AFFECTED:
* Cisco SD-WAN vManage Release 18.4 and earlier
* Cisco SD-WAN vManage Release 19.2 and earlier
* Cisco SD-WAN vManage Release 19.3 and earlier
* Cisco SD-WAN vManage Release 20.1 and earlier
* Cisco SD-WAN vManage Release 20.3 and earlier
* Cisco SD-WAN vManage Release 20.4 and earlier

RECOMMENDATIONS:
We recommend the following actions be taken:

* Install the update provided by Cisco immediately after appropriate
testing.
* Run all software as a non-privileged user (one without administrative
privileges) to diminish the effects of a successful attack.
* Remind users not to visit websites or follow links provided by unknown
or untrusted sources.
* Inform and educate users regarding the threats posed by hypertext
links contained in emails or attachments especially from un-trusted sources.
* Apply the Principle of Least Privilege to all systems and services.

REFERENCES:

• https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-vmanage-YuTVWqy#fs
• https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-1137
• https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-1480
• https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2021-1479