A vulnerability in the Multi-Pod or Multi-Site network configurations for Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Fabric Switches in Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) mode could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to unexpectedly restart the device, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. This vulnerability exists because TCP traffic sent to a specific port on an affected device is not properly sanitized. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted TCP data to a specific port that is listening on a public-facing IP address for the Multi-Pod or Multi-Site configuration. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause the device to restart unexpectedly, resulting in a DoS condition.
With a CVSS score of 8.6, this vulnerability is classified as high severity, indicating a significant risk to organizations that rely on Cisco NX-OS in their network architecture. The potential for an attacker to disrupt services by restarting devices means that organizations must take immediate action to assess their exposure and implement appropriate security measures.
The urgency for defenders is high, as this vulnerability could be exploited without authentication and requires no user interaction. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to prevent potential exploitation and ensure the stability of their network infrastructure.
As of now, there are no known public exploits available for this vulnerability, but the risk remains significant due to its nature. Organizations are encouraged to review their network configurations and apply patches as soon as they become available.
Vulnerability Details
This vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit the Multi-Pod or Multi-Site configurations in Cisco NX-OS, specifically targeting TCP traffic sent to a non-sanitized port. The official CVE description highlights the potential for a DoS condition, and the affected versions include NX-OS 15.0(2e) and 15.1(1h).
The vulnerability has been assigned CWE-345, which indicates a failure to sanitize input properly. Organizations should be aware of the impact this could have on their operations, particularly those utilizing Cisco's Application Centric Infrastructure.
The vulnerability is marked as modified, reflecting updates to its status and potential impact on security posture.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper input sanitization of TCP traffic directed to specific ports on Cisco Nexus 9000 devices. Attackers may leverage this flaw by sending crafted TCP data, which could lead to an unexpected device restart.
The attack vector is classified as network-based, with low complexity as no authentication is required. The privileges required are none, and no user interaction is needed for exploitation. The potential impacts include a high availability impact, as the device may become unresponsive due to the restart.
From a security perspective, organizations should carefully evaluate their configurations to mitigate this risk, ensuring that public-facing IP addresses are properly managed.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes potential service disruptions, which could have cascading effects on network availability and performance. The blast radius for this vulnerability may encompass any network segment that relies on the affected Cisco NX-OS devices, leading to extensive downtime if exploited.
Given the high CVSS score, organizations should assess their exposure levels and prioritize patching as part of their immediate security response. The potential for exploitation, although currently unconfirmed by public exploit databases, emphasizes the need for vigilance and proactive security measures.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
Affected versions include Cisco NX-OS 15.0(2e) and 15.1(1h). Organizations using these versions should prioritize patching to the latest available release.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should implement the following mitigation strategies:
1. Apply the latest patches provided by Cisco for NX-OS to address this vulnerability.
2. Regularly review network configurations to ensure proper sanitization of TCP traffic.
3. Monitor network traffic for any unusual activity that may indicate an attempted exploit.
4. Consider engaging in penetration testing to validate security measures.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation attempts, organizations should monitor logs for indicators such as:
1. Unusual TCP traffic patterns directed at specific ports on Cisco Nexus 9000 devices.
2. Unexpected device restarts or failures that may correlate with network activity.
3. Alerts from intrusion detection systems indicating potential TCP-based attacks.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in its potential to disrupt critical network services. As organizations increasingly rely on network infrastructure for business operations, vulnerabilities that allow for denial of service can have severe implications.
Monitoring trends in vulnerability disclosures and exploit attempts can provide valuable insights into the evolving threat landscape. Security teams should learn from such incidents and enhance their defensive measures.
To stay ahead of potential threats, organizations can benefit from regular assessments and engage in proactive security measures, such as red teaming and continuous penetration testing to identify and address security gaps.
By understanding the implications of vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-1586, organizations can better prepare for and mitigate potential risks.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)