A vulnerability in the Cisco Cluster Management Protocol (CMP) processing code in Cisco IOS and Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a reload of an affected device or remotely execute code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is due to the failure to restrict the use of CMP-specific Telnet options only to internal communications, accepting these options over any Telnet connection to an affected device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending malformed CMP-specific Telnet options while establishing a Telnet session with an affected Cisco device configured to accept Telnet connections.
This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code and gain full control of the device or cause a reload of the affected device. The severity of this vulnerability is critical, with a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating a high exploitability potential. Organizations must prioritize patching immediately.
Affected systems include various Cisco Catalyst switches, Embedded Service 2020 switches, Enhanced Layer 2 EtherSwitch Service Module, and others. The vulnerability was published on March 17, 2017, and has been analyzed under Cisco Bug ID CSCvd48893. Immediate action is required to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and control over critical network infrastructure. Given the critical nature of this vulnerability, organizations should address it in their priority patch cycle.
Vulnerability Details
The official description states that this vulnerability in the Cisco Cluster Management Protocol (CMP) processing code could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a reload of an affected device or execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The affected versions include Cisco IOS versions from 12.2s to 15.1(3)svs and Cisco IOS XE versions from 3.2sg to 3.9e. The vulnerability has been classified under CWE-20.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of Telnet options within the CMP, which are supposed to be restricted to internal communications. The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, requiring low complexity to exploit with no privileges or user interaction necessary. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, potentially allowing for full control of the device and service disruption.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations deploying Cisco devices with the affected software versions are at significant risk, as the vulnerability could be exploited remotely without any authentication. The potential blast radius is extensive, affecting large portions of network infrastructure. Given the CVSS score of 9.8, organizations should prioritize mitigation and remediation efforts immediately.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
Affected versions include Cisco IOS versions from 12.2s to 15.1(3)svs and Cisco IOS XE versions from 3.2sg to 3.9e. Organizations should verify their devices against these versions to determine their exposure.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should apply patches and updates as per vendor instructions immediately. For devices that cannot be patched, consider disabling Telnet access or implementing network controls to restrict access to the affected devices. Continuous security testing can help identify any weaknesses related to this vulnerability.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring for unusual Telnet activity and analyzing logs for unauthorized access attempts can help detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability. Behavioral anomalies and network signatures indicative of exploit attempts should also be tracked.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability represents a critical threat to Cisco's IOS and IOS XE. Organizations must prioritize remediation actions, as the potential for exploitation is high. Security teams should also focus on strengthening their incident response plans to address any potential incidents stemming from this vulnerability.
For ongoing security support and assessment, organizations can consider engaging in services such as penetration testing to evaluate their security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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