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Unified Computing System CVE-2012-4078

HIGH
Improper Authentication (CWE-287)
2013-09-24 psirt@cisco.com
Authentication Bypass Cisco Unified Computing System
8.5
CVSS 2.0 · NVD
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Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
CWE-287
OWASP Top 10:2025
A07:2025 - Authentication Failures
ASVS 5.0
V6 - Authentication Authentication mechanism validation
MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques across 2 tactics: Defense Evasion, Initial Access

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

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Impact

CVSS score of 8.5 (HIGH). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, M complexity. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.92%.
Exploit ScenarioDerived

A remote attacker could bypass authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access by sending crafted requests to the affected application.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
No patch listed yet 0.9% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

The Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) in Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) does not properly handle SSH escape sequences, which allows remote authenticated users to bypass an unspecified. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.

RemediationAI

No vendor patch is available at time of analysis. Monitor vendor advisories for updates. Implement multi-factor authentication, enforce strong password policies, use proven authentication frameworks.

Affects your stack

Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.

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Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified as Improper Authentication (CWE-287), which allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access. The Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) in Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) does not properly handle SSH escape sequences, which allows remote authenticated users to bypass an unspecified authentication step via SSH port forwarding, aka Bug ID CSCtg17656. Affected products include: Cisco Unified Computing System.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 8.5 HIGH
AV:N/AC:M/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
M
Confidentiality
C
Integrity
C
Availability
C

DescriptionCVE.org

The Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) in Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) does not properly handle SSH escape sequences, which allows remote authenticated users to bypass an unspecified authentication step via SSH port forwarding, aka Bug ID CSCtg17656.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.9%
Top 24% exploitable
Data Quality
3 sources
Confidence: Low
NVD CVE.org EPSS

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.9%
Patch available No
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Scheduled
Exploitation· derived
None
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable· derived
No
Human Impact· derived
Medium

Priority Score

43
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: +1
CVSS: +42
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Authentication Bypass CRITICAL

Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.

Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org

cpe:2.3:a:cisco:unified_computing_system:1.0\(2k\):*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:unified_computing_system:1.0_base:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:unified_computing_system:1.1\(1m\):*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:unified_computing_system:1.1_base:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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References

Advisories & patches
ADVISORY http://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityNotice/CVE-2012-4078 REF http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1029084 REF https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/87367

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