Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Cisco FTD had a CLI input-validation flaw that could let a logged-in local attacker run commands as root. Business urgency depends on who has CLI access: exposure is narrower than internet-facing bugs, but successful misuse gives full device control.
Executive priority
Treat this as a targeted infrastructure-risk item, not a broad internet emergency. Prioritize it for environments where many administrators, contractors, or shared accounts have FTD CLI access.
Technical view
CVE-2019-1699 is a CWE-78 command injection issue in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense Software CLI. The CVSS 3.0 vector is AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, score 6.7. Sources state injection occurs through arguments to a specific command, enabling root-privileged command execution.
Likely exposure
Organizations using Cisco Firepower Threat Defense Software with local authenticated CLI users may be exposed. The supplied sources do not identify exact affected or fixed versions, so inventory must be matched against Cisco guidance.
Exploitation context
No CISA KEV listing is provided, and the source bundle does not cite active exploitation. Exploitation requires local access and high privileges, but impact is severe because successful exploitation runs commands with root privileges.
Researcher notes
The bundle supports root command execution after authenticated local CLI access, but does not include exact version ranges, affected command details, exploit availability, or patch identifiers. Avoid assuming broader Cisco product exposure without vendor confirmation.
Mitigation direction
- Review the Cisco advisory for affected and fixed FTD releases.
- Restrict CLI access to trusted administrators only.
- Audit local administrative accounts on FTD devices.
- Prioritize upgrade or vendor-recommended remediation where applicable.
- Monitor FTD administrative activity for unexpected CLI use.
Validation and detection
- Identify all Cisco FTD appliances and software versions.
- Compare versions against Cisco advisory guidance.
- Review who has local CLI or administrative access.
- Check logs for unusual command execution by privileged users.
- Confirm remediation status through change records or device inventory.
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
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-78: Command execution behavior lookup
Command injection weaknesses can lead defenders to review execution techniques and command interpreter telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
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-2019-1699 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
- Medium
- CVSS
- 6.7 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/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:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H0.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
6.7MediumVector: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- 20190501 Cisco Firepower Threat Defense Software Command Injection 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 Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.