CVE-2019-1821 — Evolved Programmable Network Manager
HIGHCVE-2019-1821 is a high-severity (CVSS 8.8) Improper Input Validation vulnerability in cisco evolved programmable network manager. 5 public exploit references exist, so weaponization risk is real. A fix is available — see the affected versions and patch details below.
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Prime Infrastructure (PI) and Cisco Evolved Programmable Network (EPN) Manager could allow an authenticated, remote attacker…
Exploitation Status
No confirmed exploitation observed yet
- A successful exploit gives an attacker total control of the affected component, not partial access.
- CISA’s own triage has not observed active exploitation or public proof-of-concept code for this CVE as of its last assessment.
Exploitation and automatability from CISA’s SSVC triage for CVE-2019-1821.
EPSS Exploitation Probability
Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days, from FIRST.org EPSS.
How urgent is this, really
CVE-2019-1821 by exploitation likelihood (EPSS) against impact (CVSS). In the shaded patch-first corner (EPSS 50%+, CVSS 7.0+).
Where this sits among everything scored
Of 394,803 CVEs with a current EPSS score, this one falls in the ≥ 90% band (highlighted). Counts from FIRST.org, log-scaled.
Description
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Prime Infrastructure (PI) and Cisco Evolved Programmable Network (EPN) Manager could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute code with root-level privileges on the underlying operating system. This vulnerability exist because the software improperly validates user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by uploading a malicious file to the administrative web interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute code with root-level privileges on the underlying operating system.
Affected Products
evolved programmable network managercisconetwork level serviceciscoprime infrastructureciscoResearch use only. For defensive security, authorized penetration testing, and academic research only. Never execute exploit code against systems without explicit written authorization.
Cisco Prime Infrastructure Health Monitor - TarArchive Directory Traversal (Metasploit)
by Metasploit · Jun 20, 2019
Cisco Prime Infrastructure Health Monitor HA TarArchive - Directory Traversal / Remote Code Execution
by mr_me · May 17, 2019
Detection & mitigation playbook
Vendor / applianceDetect
Inventory every cisco evolved programmable network manager deployment and check each version against the affected-products list above.
Fix
Apply the cisco evolved programmable network manager security patch or hotfix for CVE-2019-1821 on the affected version, following the vendor advisory for your exact build.
Workarounds
If you can't upgrade right away: gate or disable the affected feature, validate untrusted input at the boundary, and avoid passing attacker-controlled data into the vulnerable path. O3's runtime protection blocks exploitation in production as an interim safeguard until the upgrade lands. Alongside that, restrict the management interface to trusted networks and apply the vendor's recommended configuration mitigations.
How to detect CVE-2019-1821
A community-maintained Nuclei template exists for this CVE. You can scan for it directly:
nuclei -id cve-2019-1821 -u https://target- Template
- Cisco Prime Infrastructure and Cisco Evolved Programmable Network Manager - Remote Code Execution
- Severity
- critical
- Impact
- Authenticated attackers can upload malicious files to execute code with root-level privileges on the underlying operating system, leading to complete system compromise and potential network infiltration.
- Remediation
- Apply the latest security patches provided by Cisco to mitigate this vulnerability.
Template by ProjectDiscovery nuclei-templates (_0xf4n9x_), MIT licensed. View the full template. Scan only systems you are authorised to test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2019-1821 being exploited in your environment?
Detect and block the exploit chain at execution, on systems you cannot patch yet.