Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2019-1885 is a Cisco Integrated Management Controller flaw that could let a logged-in attacker run operating-system commands as root. It affects Cisco UCS management software through the Redfish/web management interface. The issue is serious because successful exploitation gives full device control, but the available evidence says authentication with high privileges is required.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority management-plane issue. It is not reported as actively exploited in the provided sources, but successful exploitation grants root-level control of affected Cisco management controllers. Prioritize systems where CIMC is broadly reachable or privileged credentials may be exposed.
Technical view
The vulnerability is CWE-78 command injection in Cisco IMC Redfish handling. Insufficient input validation allows crafted authenticated commands through the web-based management interface to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges. CVSS v3.0 is 7.2: network reachable, low complexity, high privileges required, no user interaction, high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely where Cisco UCS systems use Cisco Integrated Management Controller management software and the CIMC web-based Redfish interface is reachable to administrators or management networks. The source bundle does not specify affected or fixed versions, so version exposure must be checked against Cisco’s advisory.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or other cited evidence of active exploitation. Exploitation requires authenticated access and the CVSS vector indicates high privileges, reducing opportunistic internet-scale risk but leaving serious insider, credential-theft, and management-network risk.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to the CVE record and Cisco advisory reference. The bundle does not provide affected version ranges, fixed versions, proof-of-concept status, or workaround details. Avoid assuming exploit availability. Focus validation on CIMC/Redfish reachability, authenticated administrative access paths, and vendor advisory version mapping.
Mitigation direction
- Review Cisco advisory cisco-sa-20190821-ucs-cimc for affected and fixed releases.
- Upgrade affected Cisco IMC/UCS management software per Cisco guidance.
- Restrict CIMC web and Redfish access to trusted management networks.
- Audit privileged CIMC accounts and remove unnecessary access.
- Monitor Cisco IMC logs for unusual authenticated management activity.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Cisco UCS systems running Cisco Integrated Management Controller software.
- Identify exposed CIMC web-based management and Redfish interfaces.
- Compare installed versions with Cisco’s advisory guidance.
- Verify privileged account access is limited to required administrators.
- Check logs for suspicious authenticated management commands or changes.
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-2019-1885 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
- 7.2 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/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:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.25.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
7.2HighVector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- 20190821 Cisco Integrated Management Controller 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.