Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller REST API Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- High
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-264.
Summary
A vulnerability in the REST API for software device management in Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to escalate privileges to root on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to incomplete validation and error checking for the file path when specific software is uploaded. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by uploading malicious software using the REST API. A successful exploit could allow an attacker to escalate their privilege level to root. The attacker would need to have the administrator role on the device.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
Remediation
- Fix · CNA Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) (Cisco) Fixed in 4.1(2g)
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2019-1889
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-p5h6-5443-r463
References
More Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller vulnerabilities
- TI-2021-01115 Cisco ACI Multi-Site Orchestrator Application Services Engine Deployment Authentication Bypass Vulnerability CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2021-01120 Cisco Application Services Engine Unauthorized Access Vulnerabilities CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2021-01123 Cisco Application Services Engine Unauthorized Access Vulnerabilities CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2021-01301 Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller Arbitrary File Read and Write Vulnerability CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.1
- TI-2021-01305 Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller Command Injection and File Upload Vulnerabilities CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.1
- TI-2021-01302 Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller Privilege Escalation Vulnerability CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
Sources
- CVE-2019-1889 · CVE Program
- CVE-2019-1889 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-p5h6-5443-r463 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences