CVE-2018-0147 is a critical vulnerability in Cisco Secure Access Control System (ACS), specifically affecting versions prior to release 5.8 patch 9. This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands on an affected device by exploiting the insecure deserialization of user-supplied content. The potential risk is significant, as successful exploitation can lead to the execution of commands with root privileges on the device.
Cisco has classified this vulnerability with a CVSS score of 9.8, indicating a critical severity level. The implications for organizations are severe, with the potential for unauthorized access and control over affected devices. Organizations utilizing Cisco ACS should prioritize remediation efforts to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.
Currently, there is no known public exploit, but the vulnerability is included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, emphasizing the urgency for a patch. Organizations should act promptly to patch vulnerable systems to maintain security integrity.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of CVE-2018-0147 from Cisco states that the vulnerability stems from Java deserialization used by Cisco Secure Access Control System (ACS) prior to release 5.8 patch 9. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted serialized Java object, which could allow them to execute arbitrary commands on the device with root privileges. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) and CWE-502 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data).
The CVSS score for CVE-2018-0147 is 9.8, indicating a critical severity. The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity and no privileges required. The potential impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all rated as high.
The vulnerability was published on March 8, 2018, and continues to pose a risk as it remains unpatched for many users.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2018-0147 lies in the insecure deserialization process within the Java framework used by Cisco ACS. This flaw allows an attacker to send maliciously crafted serialized objects to the application, resulting in the execution of arbitrary commands. The attack vector is network-based, meaning that no physical access to the device is required for exploitation.
The attack complexity is low, and no user interaction is required, making it easier for attackers to execute this vulnerability. The impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are deemed high, indicating that successful exploitation can result in significant damage to the affected systems.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with CVE-2018-0147 is considerable. Organizations utilizing Cisco ACS may face unauthorized command execution, leading to potential data breaches, system compromises, and disruption of services. The blast radius of this vulnerability can be extensive, affecting all devices running vulnerable versions of the software.
Given the critical CVSS score, organizations should assess their exposure and the potential impact on their operational capabilities. The urgency of remediation is heightened due to its inclusion in the KEV catalog, indicating ongoing exploitation attempts in the wild.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include Cisco Secure Access Control System (ACS) prior to release 5.8 patch 9. Organizations using these versions should verify their systems and apply the necessary updates.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate the risks posed by this vulnerability, organizations should apply the latest patches provided by Cisco as outlined in their advisories. Specifically, upgrading to the latest version of Cisco Secure Access Control System (ACS) is essential for eliminating the vulnerability.
If immediate patching is not feasible, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to the affected systems and monitor for any suspicious activities.
Organizations should validate remediation through penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual access patterns or command execution attempts. Detection of serialized Java object submissions not matching expected formats could also indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
Behavioral anomalies in network traffic or unauthorized changes to system configurations should be flagged for further investigation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2018-0147 highlights the ongoing issue of insecure deserialization in software applications, a common vulnerability that attackers continuously exploit. This vulnerability serves as a reminder for organizations to conduct regular security assessments and ensure that their applications are safeguarded against such flaws.
Security teams should prioritize training on secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in their development processes. For further insights, refer to our resources on penetration testing methodology and vulnerability management programs to enhance overall security posture.
Engaging in API security testing can also help identify and mitigate potential deserialization vulnerabilities effectively.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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