Analyst readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2019-12689 lets an authenticated remote attacker run arbitrary code through Cisco FMC's web management interface. It requires a valid low-privileged account and high attack complexity, but successful compromise could affect the platform used to manage security controls.
Executive priority
Prioritize in environments where Cisco FMC manages production security infrastructure or is reachable beyond a tightly controlled admin network. Treat as high priority, but not emergency solely from this bundle because active exploitation is not evidenced.
Technical view
The issue is insufficient input validation in Cisco Firepower Management Center Software's web-based management interface. A malicious authenticated request can execute code on the underlying operating system. CVSS v3.0 is 7.5 with network access, low privileges, no user interaction, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Cisco Firepower Management Center deployments with reachable web management interfaces and valid attacker credentials. The source bundle does not provide affected version ranges, so version validation must be done against Cisco's advisory.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. The weakness is still serious because authenticated access to a security-management appliance can become operating-system code execution.
Researcher notes
The public record identifies CWE-20 and authenticated remote code execution via the web management interface. Affected versions are unspecified in the bundle. Avoid assumptions about exploit availability, patch versions, or vulnerable endpoints without the Cisco advisory details.
Mitigation direction
- Check Cisco's advisory for affected and fixed software details.
- Apply vendor-supported updates or remediation guidance from Cisco.
- Restrict FMC management access to trusted administrative networks.
- Review and reduce unnecessary FMC user accounts and privileges.
- Monitor vendor advisories for any updated exploitation or fix guidance.
Validation and detection
- Inventory all Cisco FMC deployments and software versions.
- Compare deployed versions with Cisco's advisory guidance.
- Confirm the web management interface is not broadly reachable.
- Review FMC authentication and management logs for suspicious activity.
- Verify remediation status through patch records or Cisco support guidance.
Public sources used
Based on public source material and reviewed before publication.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CWE-20: Exact CWE lookup
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Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2019-12689 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.5 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.65.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
7.5HighVector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- 20191002 Cisco Firepower Management Center Remote Code Execution VulnerabilityCVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_CISCO
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Input Validation
Improper Input Validation represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.