Role-Based CLI Access

The Role-Based CLI Access feature allows the network administrator to define views, which are a set of operational commands and configuration capabilities that provide selective or partial access to Cisco IOS EXEC and configuration (config) mode commands. Views restrict user access to Cisco IOS command-line interface (CLI) and configuration information; that is, a view can define what commands are accepted and what configuration information is visible. Thus, network administrators can exercise better control over access to Cisco networking devices.

Finding Feature Information

Your software release may not support all the features documented in this module. For the latest caveats and feature information, see Bug Search Tool and the release notes for your platform and software release. To find information about the features documented in this module, and to see a list of the releases in which each feature is supported, see the feature information table.

Use Cisco Feature Navigator to find information about platform support and Cisco software image support. To access Cisco Feature Navigator, go to www.cisco.com/​go/​cfn. An account on Cisco.com is not required.

Prerequisites for Role-Based CLI Access

Your image must support CLI views.

Restrictions for Role-Based CLI Access

Lawful Intercept Images Limitation

CLI views are a part of all platforms and Cisco IOS images because they are a part of the Cisco IOS parser. However, the lawful intercept view is available only in images that contain the lawful intercept subsystem.

Maximum Number of Allowed Views

The maximum number of CLI views and superviews, including one lawful intercept view, that can be configured is 15. (This does not include the root view.)

Information About Role-Based CLI Access

Benefits of Using CLI Views

Although users can control CLI access via both privilege levels and enable mode passwords, these functions do not provide network administrators with the necessary level of detail needed when working with Cisco IOS devices. CLI views provide a more detailed access control capability for network administrators, thereby, improving the overall security and accountability of Cisco IOS software.

As of Cisco IOS Release 12.3(11)T, network administrators can also specify an interface or a group of interfaces to a view; thereby, allowing access on the basis of specified interfaces.

Root View

When a system is in root view, it has all of the access privileges as a user who has level 15 privileges. If the administrator wishes to configure any view to the system (such as a CLI view, a superview, or a lawful intercept view), the system must be in root view.

The difference between a user who has level 15 privileges and a root view user is that a root view user can configure a new view and add or remove commands from the view. Also, when you are in a CLI view, you have access only to the commands that have been added to that view by the root view user.

Lawful Intercept View

Like a CLI view, a lawful intercept view restricts access to specified commands and configuration information. Specifically, a lawful intercept view allows a user to secure access to lawful intercept commands that are held within the TAP-MIB, which is a special set of simple network management protocol (SNMP) commands that store information about calls and users.

Commands available in lawful intercept view belong to one of the these categories:

  • Lawful intercept commands that should not be made available to any other view or privilege level

  • CLI views that are useful for lawful intercept users but do not have to be excluded from other views or privilege levels

Superview

A superview consists of one or more CLI views, which allow users to define what commands are accepted and what configuration information is visible. Superviews allow a network administrator to easily assign all users within configured CLI views to a superview instead of having to assign multiple CLI views to a group of users.

Superviews contain these characteristics:

  • A CLI view can be shared among multiple superviews.

  • Commands cannot be configured for a superview; that is, you must add commands to the CLI view and add that CLI view to the superview.

  • Users who are logged into a superview can access all of the commands that are configured for any of the CLI views that are part of the superview.

  • Each superview has a password that is used to switch between superviews or from a CLI view to a superview.

  • If a superview is deleted, its associated CLI views are not deleted.

View Authentication via a New AAA Attribute

View authentication is performed by an external authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) server via the new attribute cli-view-name.

AAA authentication associates only one view name to a particular user; that is, only one view name can be configured for a user in an authentication server.

How to Use Role-Based CLI Access

Configuring a CLI View

Perform this task to create a CLI view and add commands or interfaces to the view, as appropriate.

Before You Begin

Before you create a view, you must perform the following tasks:

  • Enable AAA using the aaa new-model command.

  • Ensure that your system is in root view-not privilege level 15.

SUMMARY STEPS

    1.    enable view

    2.    configure terminal

    3.    parser view view-name [inclusive]

    4.    secret [0 | 5] encrypted-password

    5.    commands parser-mode {exclude | include-exclusive | include} [all] [interface interface-name | command]

    6.    end

    7.    enable [privilege-level | view view-name]

    8.    show parser view all


DETAILED STEPS
     Command or ActionPurpose
    Step 1 enable view


    Example:
    Device> enable view 
     

    Enables root view.

    • Enter your privilege level 15 password (for example, root password) if prompted.

     
    Step 2 configure terminal


    Example:
    Device# configure terminal
     

    Enters global configuration mode.

     
    Step 3 parser view view-name [inclusive]


    Example:
    Device(config)# parser view first inclusive
    Device(config-view)# 
     

    Creates a view including all commands by default. If the inclusive keyword option is not selected, it creates a view excluding all commands by default. You are in the view configuration mode.

     
    Step 4 secret [0 | 5] encrypted-password


    Example:
    Device(config-view)# secret 5 secret
     

    Associates a CLI view or superview with a password.

    Note   

    You must issue this command before you can configure additional attributes for the view.

    Note    With CSCts50236, the password can be removed or overwritten. Use the no secret command to remove the configured password.
     
    Step 5 commands parser-mode {exclude | include-exclusive | include} [all] [interface interface-name | command]


    Example:
    Device(config-view)# commands exec include show version
     

    Adds commands or interfaces to a view and specifies the mode in which the specified command exists.

    Note    While configuring parser view profiles, the following no or default commands are not saved to the startup configuration. These commands are in use until the device is reloaded. Once the device is reloaded, reapply these commands to get the required results.
    • commands configure include all no

    • commands interface include all no

    • commands configure include all default

     
    Step 6 end


    Example:
    Device(config-view)# end
    
     

    Exits view configuration mode and returns to privileged EXEC mode.

     
    Step 7 enable [privilege-level | view view-name]


    Example:
    Device# enable view first
    
     

    Prompts you for a password to access a configured CLI view, and you can switch from one view to another view.

    Enter the password to access the CLI view.

     
    Step 8 show parser view all


    Example:
    Device# show parser view all
     

    (Optional) Displays information for all views that are configured on the device.

    Note   

    Although this command is available for both root and lawful intercept users, the all keyword is available only to root users. However, the all keyword can be configured by a user in root view to be available for users in lawful intercept view and CLI view.

     

    Troubleshooting Tips

    You must associate a password with a view. If you do not associate a password, and you attempt to add commands to the view using the commands command, a system message such as the following is displayed:

    %Password not set for view <viewname>.

    Configuring a Lawful Intercept View

    Perform this task to initialize and configure a view for lawful-intercept-specific commands and configuration information.

    Before You Begin

    Before you initialize a lawful intercept view, ensure that the privilege level is set to 15 using the privilege command.


    Note


    Only an administrator or a user who has level 15 privileges can initialize a lawful intercept view.


    SUMMARY STEPS

      1.    enable view

      2.    configure terminal

      3.    li-view li-password user username password password

      4.    username lawful-intercept [name] [privilege privilege-level | view view-name] password password

      5.    parser view view-name

      6.    secret 5 encrypted-password

      7.    name new-name


    DETAILED STEPS
       Command or ActionPurpose
      Step 1 enable view


      Example:
      Device> enable view 
       

      Enables root view.

      • Enter your privilege level 15 password (for example, root password) if prompted.

       
      Step 2 configure terminal


      Example:
      Device# configure terminal
       

      Enters global configuration mode.

       
      Step 3 li-view li-password user username password password


      Example:
      Device(config)# li-view lipass user li_admin password li_adminpass
       

      Initializes a lawful intercept view.

      After the li-view is initialized, you must specify at least one user via user username password password options.

       
      Step 4 username lawful-intercept [name] [privilege privilege-level | view view-name] password password


      Example:
      Device(config)# username lawful-intercept li-user1 password li-user1pass
       

      Configures lawful intercept users on a Cisco device.

       
      Step 5 parser view view-name


      Example:
      Device(config)# parser view li view name
       

      (Optional) Enters view configuration mode, which allows you to change the lawful intercept view password or the lawful intercept view name.

       
      Step 6 secret 5 encrypted-password


      Example:
      Device(config-view)# secret 5 secret
       

      (Optional) Changes an existing password for a lawful intercept view.

       
      Step 7 name new-name


      Example:
      Device(config-view)# name second
       

      (Optional) Changes the name of a lawful intercept view.

      If this command is not issued, the default name of the lawful intercept view is “li-view.”

       

      Troubleshooting Tips

      To display information for all users who have access to a lawful intercept view, issue the show users lawful-intercept command. (This command is available only to authorized lawful intercept view users.)

      Configuring a Superview

      Perform this task to create a superview and add at least one CLI view to the superview.

      Before You Begin

      Before adding a CLI view to a superview, ensure that the CLI views that are added to the superview are valid views in the system; that is, the views have been successfully created using the parser view command.


      Note


      You can add a view to a superview only after you configure a password for the superview (using the secret 5 command). Thereafter, issue the view command in view configuration mode to add at least one CLI view to the superview.


      SUMMARY STEPS

        1.    enable view

        2.    configure terminal

        3.    parser view superview-name superview

        4.    secret 5 encrypted-password

        5.    view view-name

        6.    end

        7.    show parser view all


      DETAILED STEPS
         Command or ActionPurpose
        Step 1 enable view


        Example:
        Device> enable view 
         

        Enables root view.

        • Enter your privilege level 15 password (for example, root password) if prompted.

         
        Step 2 configure terminal


        Example:
        Device# configure terminal
         

        Enters global configuration mode.

         
        Step 3 parser view superview-name superview


        Example:
        Device(config)# parser view su_view1 superview
         

        Creates a superview and enters view configuration mode.

         
        Step 4 secret 5 encrypted-password


        Example:
        Device(config-view)# secret 5 secret
         

        Associates a CLI view or superview with a password.

        Note   

        You must issue this command before you can configure additional attributes for the view.

         
        Step 5 view view-name


        Example:
        Device(config-view)# view view_three
         

        Adds a normal CLI view to a superview.

        Issue this command for each CLI view that is to be added to a given superview.

         
        Step 6 end


        Example:
        Device(config-view)# end
        Device#
         

        Exits view configuration mode and returns to privileged EXEC mode.

         
        Step 7 show parser view all


        Example:
        Device# show parser view
         

        (Optional) Displays information for all views that are configured on the device.

        Note   

        Although this command is available for both root and lawful intercept users, the all keyword is available only to root users. However, the all keyword can be configured by a user in root view to be available for users in lawful intercept view and CLI view.

         

        Monitoring Views and View Users

        To display debug messages for all views-root, CLI, lawful intercept, and superview-use the debug parser view command in privileged EXEC mode.

        Configuration Examples for Role-Based CLI Access

        Example: Configuring a CLI View

        The following example shows how to configure two CLI views, “first” and “second". Thereafter, you can verify the CLI view in the running configuration.

        Device(config)# parser view first inclusive
        Device(config-view)# secret 5 firstpass
        Device(config-view)# command exec exclude show version
        Device(config-view)# command exec exclude configure terminal
        Device(config-view)# command exec exclude all show ip
        Device(config-view)# exit
        Device(config)# parser view second
        Device(config-view)# secret 5 secondpass
        Device(config-view)# command exec include-exclusive show ip interface
        Device(config-view)# command exec include logout
        Device(config-view)# exit
        !
        !
        Device(config-view)# do show running-config | beg view
        
        parser view first inclusive
         secret 5 $1$MCmh$QuZaU8PIMPlff9sFCZvgW/
         commands exec exclude configure terminal
         commands exec exclude configure
         commands exec exclude all show ip
         commands exec exclude show version
         commands exec exclude show
        !
        parser view second 
         secret 5 $1$iP2M$R16BXKecMEiQesxLyqygW.
         commands exec include-exclusive show ip interface
         commands exec include show ip
         commands exec include show
         commands exec include logout
        !

        Example: Verifying a CLI View

        After you have configured the CLI views “first” and “second", you can issue the enable viewcommand to verify which commands are available in each view. The following example shows which commands are available inside the CLI view “first” after the user has logged into this view. (Because the show ip command is configured with the all option, a complete set of suboptions is shown, except the show ip interface command, which is using the include-exclusive keyword in the second view.)

        Device# enable view first
        Password:
        Device# ?
        Exec commands:
          configure  Enter configuration mode
          enable     Turn on privileged commands
          exit       Exit from the EXEC
          show       Show running system information
        Device# show ?
          ip       IP information
          parser   Display parser information
          version  System hardware and software status
        Device# show ip ?
         
          access-lists            List IP access lists
          accounting              The active IP accounting database
          aliases                 IP alias table
          arp                     IP ARP table
          as-path-access-list     List AS path access lists
          bgp                     BGP information
          cache                   IP fast-switching route cache
          casa                    display casa information
          cef                     Cisco Express Forwarding
          community-list          List community-list
          dfp                     DFP information
          dhcp                    Show items in the DHCP database
          drp                     Director response protocol
          dvmrp                   DVMRP information
          eigrp                   IP-EIGRP show commands
          extcommunity-list       List extended-community list
          flow                    NetFlow switching
          helper-address          helper-address table
          http                    HTTP information
          igmp                    IGMP information
          irdp                    ICMP Device Discovery Protocol
        .
        .
        .

        Example: Configuring a Lawful Intercept View

        The following example shows how to configure a lawful intercept view, add users to the view, and verify the users that were added:

        !Initialize the LI-View.
        Device(config)# li-view lipass user li_admin password li_adminpass
        Device(config)# end
        ! Enter the LI-View; that is, check to see what commands are available within the view.
        Device# enable view li-view
        Password:
        Device# configure terminal
        Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
        Device(config)# parser view li-view
         
        Device(config-view)# ?
        View commands:
          commands  Configure commands for a view
          default   Set a command to its defaults
          exit      Exit from view configuration mode
          name      New LI-View name      
          no        Negate a command or set its defaults
          password  Set a password associated with CLI views
        Device(config-view)#
        ! NOTE:LI View configurations are never shown as part of ‘running-configuration’.
        ! Configure LI Users.
        Device(config)# username lawful-intercept li-user1 password li-user1pass
         
        Device(config)# username lawful-intercept li-user2 password li-user2pass
        ! Displaying LI User information.
        Device# show users lawful-intercept
        li_admin     
        li-user1     
        li-user2     
        Device#

        Note


        The lawful intercept view is available only on specific images and the view name option is available only in the LI view.

        Example: Configuring a Superview

        The following sample output from the show running-config command shows that “view_one” and “view_two” have been added to superview “su_view1", “view_three”, and “view_four” have been added to superview “su_view2”:

        Device# show running-config
        !
        parser view su_view1 superview
         secret 5 <encoded password>
         view view_one
         view view_two
        !
        parser view su_view2 superview
         secret 5 <encoded password>
         view view_three
         view view_four
        !

        Additional References for Role-Based CLI Access

        Related Documents

        Related Topic

        Document Title

        Cisco IOS commands

        Cisco IOS Master Command List, All Releases

        Security commands

        SNMP, MIBs, CLI configuration

        Cisco IOS Network Management Configuration Guide , Release 15.0.

        Privilege levels

        "Configuring Security with Passwords, Privileges and Logins" module.

        Technical Assistance

        Description

        Link

        The Cisco Support and Documentation website provides online resources to download documentation, software, and tools. Use these resources to install and configure the software and to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues with Cisco products and technologies. Access to most tools on the Cisco Support and Documentation website requires a Cisco.com user ID and password.

        http:/​/​www.cisco.com/​cisco/​web/​support/​index.html

        Feature Information for Role-Based CLI Access

        The following table provides release information about the feature or features described in this module. This table lists only the software release that introduced support for a given feature in a given software release train. Unless noted otherwise, subsequent releases of that software release train also support that feature.

        Use Cisco Feature Navigator to find information about platform support and Cisco software image support. To access Cisco Feature Navigator, go to www.cisco.com/​go/​cfn. An account on Cisco.com is not required.
        Table 1 Feature Information for Role-Based CLI Access

        Feature Name

        Releases

        Feature Information

        Role-Based CLI Access

        Cisco IOS 12.3(7)T

        Cisco IOS 12.3(11)T

        Cisco IOS 12.2(33)SRB

        Cisco IOS 12.2(33)SB

        Cisco IOS 12.2(33)SXI

        The Role-Based CLI Access feature enables network administrators to restrict user access to CLI and configuration information.

        The CLI view capability was extended to restrict user access on a per-interface level, and additional CLI views were introduced to support the extended view capability. Also, support to group configured CLI views into a superview was introduced.

        The following commands were introduced or modified: commands (view), enable, li-view, name (view), parser view , parser view superview, secret, show parser view, show users, username, and view.

        Role-Based CLI Inclusive Views

        Cisco IOS 15.4(1)T

        Cisco IOS 15.4(1)S

        Cisco IOS 15.2(1)SY

        The Role-Based CLI Inclusive Views feature enables a standard CLI view including all commands by default.

        The following command was modified: parser view inclusive.