Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2019-1592 lets a logged-in local user on affected Cisco Nexus 9000 ACI-mode switches gain root privileges. This is not described as a remote internet attack, but successful exploitation could give full control of a critical network device.
Executive priority
Treat as high priority for data-center network infrastructure. The attack requires authenticated local access, but root compromise of ACI fabric switches can threaten network confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Prioritize inventory, Cisco guidance review, access tightening, and patch planning.
Technical view
Cisco describes insufficient validation of user-supplied files in background operations functionality of Nexus 9000 Series ACI Mode Switch Software. An authenticated local attacker with CLI access could cause arbitrary operating system command execution as root. CVSS 3.0 is 7.8 high, with low attack complexity and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely in environments running Cisco Nexus 9000 Series fabric switches in ACI mode, specifically the affected Cisco NX-OS ACI-mode software identified in the source bundle. The prerequisite is authenticated local CLI access, so privileged account governance strongly affects practical risk.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. Exploitation requires prior authenticated local CLI access, which limits reach but raises insider, compromised-admin, and lateral-movement concerns because success grants root-level control.
Researcher notes
Evidence is strong for impact and attack prerequisites, but the provided bundle does not include complete fixed-version details or public exploitation evidence. Avoid broad claims beyond Nexus 9000 ACI-mode software. Validate using Cisco’s advisory and local device inventory.
Mitigation direction
- Check Cisco’s advisory for fixed software and vendor-approved remediation.
- Upgrade affected NX-OS ACI-mode software according to Cisco guidance.
- Restrict CLI access to required administrators only.
- Review and remove unnecessary local switch accounts.
- Monitor affected switches for unexpected root-level or operational changes.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Cisco Nexus 9000 fabric switches operating in ACI mode.
- Compare installed NX-OS ACI-mode versions against Cisco’s advisory.
- Confirm whether affected devices allow local CLI access for nonessential users.
- Review administrative account history for unusual access patterns.
- Document remediation status for each affected switch.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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-264: Exact CWE lookup
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Open ATT&CK lookupPrivilege behavior lookup
The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2019-1592 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/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:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- 20190501 Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Fabric Switches Application Centric Infrastructure Mode Privilege Escalation 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.
Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls
Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.