CVE-2021-1572: ConfD CLI Secure Shell Server Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
First published: Wed Aug 04 2021(Updated: )
A vulnerability in ConfD could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary commands at the level of the account under which ConfD is running, which is commonly root. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must have a valid account on an affected device. The vulnerability exists because the affected software incorrectly runs the SFTP user service at the privilege level of the account that was running when the ConfD built-in Secure Shell (SSH) server for CLI was enabled. If the ConfD built-in SSH server was not enabled, the device is not affected by this vulnerability. An attacker with low-level privileges could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to an affected device and issuing a series of commands at the SFTP interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to elevate privileges to the level of the account under which ConfD is running, which is commonly root. Note: Any user who can authenticate to the built-in SSH server may exploit this vulnerability. By default, all ConfD users have this access if the server is enabled. Software updates that address this vulnerability have been released.
Credit: ykramarz@cisco.com
| Affected Software | Affected Version | How to fix |
|---|---|---|
| Cisco ConfD | >=7.4<=7.4.3 | |
| Cisco ConfD | >=7.5<=7.5.2 | |
| Cisco Network Services Orchestrator | >=5.4<=5.4.3.1 | |
| Cisco Network Services Orchestrator | >=5.5<=5.5.2.2 |
Never miss a vulnerability like this again
Sign up to SecAlerts for real-time vulnerability data matched to your software, aggregated from hundreds of sources.
Reference Links
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2021-1572?
CVE-2021-1572 is a vulnerability in ConfD that allows an authenticated local attacker to execute arbitrary commands.
How severe is CVE-2021-1572?
CVE-2021-1572 has a severity rating of 7.8 (high).
Which software is affected by CVE-2021-1572?
Cisco Confd versions 7.4 to 7.4.3 and 7.5 to 7.5.2, and Cisco Network Services Orchestrator versions 5.4 to 5.4.3.1 and 5.5 to 5.5.2.2 are affected by CVE-2021-1572.
How can I exploit CVE-2021-1572?
To exploit CVE-2021-1572, an attacker must have a valid account on the affected device and can execute arbitrary commands at the level of the account under which ConfD is running.
Where can I find more information about CVE-2021-1572?
You can find more information about CVE-2021-1572 on the Cisco Security Advisory: [Cisco-SA-confd-priv-esc-LsGtCRx4](https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-confd-priv-esc-LsGtCRx4) and [Cisco-SA-nso-priv-esc-XXqRtTfT](https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-nso-priv-esc-XXqRtTfT).
- collector/nvd-index
- agent/weakness
- agent/references
- agent/type
- agent/softwarecombine
- collector/mitre-cve
- source/MITRE
- agent/author
- agent/title
- agent/severity
- agent/last-modified-date
- agent/tags
- agent/description
- agent/first-publish-date
- agent/event
- vendor/cisco
- canonical/cisco confd
- version/cisco confd/7.4
- version/cisco confd/7.4.3
- version/cisco confd/7.5
- version/cisco confd/7.5.2
- canonical/cisco network services orchestrator
- version/cisco network services orchestrator/5.4
- version/cisco network services orchestrator/5.4.3.1
- version/cisco network services orchestrator/5.5
- version/cisco network services orchestrator/5.5.2.2