With top spot in Group B already confirmed, Inter boss Claudio Ranieri took the opportunity to rest the likes of goalkeeper Julio Cesar and star forward Giampaolo Pazzini.
But the Italian still named a strong side against a CSKA outfit who started the final of matchday at the bottom of Group B with five points, one behind Lille and Trabzonspor and five behind Inter.
Leonid Slutsky's team knew that all they could do was win and hoped that things in France would go their way and end in a draw, and they made a bright start at the San Siro with Seydou Doumbia going close early.
Inter enjoyed the lion's share of possession but struggled to create chances and when they did, they were often fluffed.
The visitors should have taken the lead 11 minutes before the break when Vagner Love missed everything from six yards.
Love made up for it early in the second half though, playing a brilliantly weighted ball for Doumbia who produced a neat first-time finish to give the Russians the lead.
Inter responded within a minute though, as Esteban Cambiasso pounced on a loose ball after CSKA goalkeeper Vladimir Gabulov could only parry Andrea Ranocchia's header from a corner.
Love and Doumbia combined brilliantly again shortly after, but once more Love's finishing let him down and Diego Milito nearly made them pay with four minutes left.
The Argentine had the goal at his mercy but could only direct his header against the bar and CSKA shot down the other end and grabbed a winner with Vassili Berezutski heading past Inter shot-stopper Luca Castelazzi.
That goal earned them victory and the celebrations started when they found out Lille had been held to a scoreless draw by Trabzonspor.
Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard was the star for the hosts and he went close to scoring twice in the first half, while Moussa Sow and Liverpool loanee Joe Cole also wasted chances.
Trabzonspor also came close to scoring in the first half with Burak Yilmaz skimming the top of the net with his ambitious strike.
There was less goalmouth action in the second half and without the knowledge of CSKA's late goal, Trabzonspor - who began the matc second in the group - started wasting time towards the end in farcical circumstances.
Little did they know that they needed a late goal and the final whistle was blown shortly after, signalling an end to both sides' Champions League campaign.
Trabzonspor will drop into the Europa League after finishing third in Group B while Lille bow out of European competition altogether.
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