A vulnerability in the Cisco Discovery Protocol implementation for Cisco IOS XR Software could allow an unauthenticated, adjacent attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a reload on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to improper validation of string input from certain fields in Cisco Discovery Protocol messages. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a malicious Cisco Discovery Protocol packet to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause a stack overflow, which could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code with administrative privileges on an affected device.
Cisco Discovery Protocol is a Layer 2 protocol. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must be in the same broadcast domain as the affected device (Layer 2 adjacent). The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.8, indicating high severity, which necessitates immediate attention from network administrators.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Failure to address this vulnerability could lead to severe consequences, including unauthorized access and control over network devices.
As of now, there is no public exploit confirmed for this vulnerability, but its presence in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog indicates that it is a significant risk that should not be overlooked.
Monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and ensuring that all devices are updated with the latest patches is crucial to maintaining network security.
Vulnerability Details
The Cisco IOS XR software version affected by this vulnerability includes versions starting from 6.6.0 to prior to 6.6.12, along with specific ranges in versions 7.0.0 to prior to 7.0.2. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed on February 5, 2020, and is classified under CWE-134 and CWE-787.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of string input in the Cisco Discovery Protocol messages. This weakness can be exploited through an adjacent network attack, where the attacker can send a specially crafted packet to the device. Attack complexity is deemed low, as no authentication is required, and there is also no need for user interaction. The impacts of successful exploitation include high confidentiality, integrity, and availability risks, as the attacker could execute arbitrary code with administrative privileges.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and control over critical network infrastructure. The potential blast radius for this vulnerability is significant, as it could affect all devices within the same broadcast domain. Given the CVSS score of 8.8 and its inclusion in the KEV catalog, organizations must treat this vulnerability with high urgency. Immediate patching is necessary to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
Affected versions include Cisco IOS XR versions 6.6.0 to 6.6.12, 7.0.0 to 7.0.2, and several other specific versions as outlined in the configurations section. Organizations should ensure that their devices are updated to the latest versions to mitigate potential exploitation.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply updates per vendor instructions to remediate this vulnerability. It is crucial to maintain a proactive stance by regularly checking for updates and applying them promptly. Additionally, organizations can enhance security by implementing network segmentation to limit the broadcast domain size, thereby reducing the risk of exploitation.
For more information on security best practices, organizations can refer to our penetration testing methodology to ensure comprehensive security assessments.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual activity related to Cisco Discovery Protocol messages. Behavioral anomalies that could indicate an attack include unexpected device reboots or unauthorized configuration changes. Network signatures that identify malicious Cisco Discovery Protocol packets should also be implemented.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2020-3118 lies in its demonstration of how improper input validation in widely used protocols can lead to severe vulnerabilities. The trend of such vulnerabilities has been persistent, emphasizing the need for rigorous security practices in protocol implementation.
Security teams should take note of this vulnerability as a strategic defensive takeaway, ensuring that their security practices include regular assessments and updates to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future. For more insights on security practices, refer to our articles on vulnerability management and API security testing best practices.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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