CVE-2016-1291
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected Cisco Prime Infrastructure and Evolved Programmable Network Manager systems by sending specially crafted deserialized data in HTTP POST requests. Attackers can gain full control of vulnerable systems without authentication. Organizations running Cisco Prime Infrastructure 1.2.0 through 2.2(2) or Cisco EPNM 1.2 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Cisco Prime Infrastructure
- Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager (EPNM)
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise leading to data theft, lateral movement within the network, installation of persistent backdoors, and disruption of network management operations.
Likely Case
Remote code execution allowing attackers to gain administrative access, steal credentials, and pivot to other systems in the network.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if systems are patched, network segmentation is in place, and HTTP POST requests to management interfaces are restricted.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation is straightforward with publicly available proof-of-concept code. Attackers can send a single crafted HTTP POST request to trigger the vulnerability.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Cisco Prime Infrastructure 2.2(3) and later, Cisco EPNM 1.2.1 and later
Vendor Advisory: http://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20160406-remcode
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download the appropriate patch from Cisco's software download center. 2. Backup current configuration. 3. Apply the patch following Cisco's upgrade procedures. 4. Restart the affected services or system as required.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Access Control
allRestrict network access to Cisco Prime Infrastructure and EPNM management interfaces to trusted IP addresses only.
Use firewall rules to allow only specific source IPs to access TCP ports 80/443 on the management interface
Web Application Firewall
allDeploy a WAF with rules to detect and block malicious deserialization attempts in HTTP POST requests.
Configure WAF rules to inspect POST requests for serialized Java objects and block suspicious patterns
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate affected systems in a dedicated management VLAN with strict access controls
- Implement network segmentation to prevent lateral movement from compromised systems
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the software version via the web interface (Admin > System > Software Updates) or CLI command 'show version'Check Version:
show version | include VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify the installed version is Prime Infrastructure 2.2(3) or later, or EPNM 1.2.1 or later📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual HTTP POST requests to management interfaces
- Java deserialization errors in application logs
- Unexpected process execution or privilege escalation
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests containing serialized Java objects to /webacs/ or similar paths
- Outbound connections from management systems to unexpected destinations
SIEM Query:
source="cisco-prime" AND (http_method="POST" AND (uri_path="/webacs/*" OR uri_path="/epnm/*") AND (http_user_agent CONTAINS "Java" OR http_content_type="application/x-java-serialized-object"))🔗 References
- http://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20160406-remcode
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035497
- https://blogs.securiteam.com/index.php/archives/2727
- http://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20160406-remcode
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035497
- https://blogs.securiteam.com/index.php/archives/2727
