A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco IOS XE SD-WAN Software and Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges on an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of arguments passed to certain CLI commands. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by including malicious input in the argument of an affected command. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges on the underlying operating system. An attacker would need valid user credentials to exploit this vulnerability.
The severity of this vulnerability is classified as medium, with a CVSS score of 6.7. The potential impact includes high confidentiality, integrity, and availability risks, as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to gain control over affected devices.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The vulnerability was published on September 23, 2021, and has been modified since then. It is crucial for organizations using Cisco IOS XE SD-WAN and IOS XE Software to assess their exposure and apply the necessary updates.
As of now, no public exploits have been confirmed, and the vulnerability is not listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, this does not diminish the need for immediate remediation.
Vulnerability Details
This vulnerability allows an authenticated local attacker to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges on affected devices. The command injection occurs due to inadequate validation of input passed to certain CLI commands. The CVSS score of 6.7 indicates a medium severity level, with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Affected products include Cisco IOS XE and Cisco IOS XE SD-WAN Software, specifically versions prior to 17.3.1a. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-77 (Command Injection) and CWE-78 (OS Command Injection).
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is insufficient validation of arguments in CLI commands, allowing attackers to inject malicious input. The attack vector is local, requiring high privileges, and the complexity is low since no user interaction is necessary. The potential impact includes high confidentiality, integrity, and availability risks.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment of this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations. Attackers may exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control over the device. The blast radius can be extensive, particularly in environments where Cisco IOS XE and IOS XE SD-WAN Software are deployed. Organizations should assess their exposure and prioritize remediation based on the severity and potential impact of this vulnerability.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
Affected versions include Cisco IOS XE and Cisco IOS XE SD-WAN Software prior to version 17.3.1a. Organizations should review their current deployments to ensure they are not using vulnerable versions.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should apply the latest patches provided by Cisco. It is recommended to upgrade to the latest version of Cisco IOS XE and IOS XE SD-WAN Software. If patches are not immediately available, organizations should consider implementing configuration hardening measures and monitoring network traffic for anomalies.
For more information on security best practices, organizations can refer to resources on penetration testing methodology and enhance their security posture.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any suspicious command executions and unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, behavioral anomalies in the CLI can be indicative of exploitation attempts. Network signatures should also be updated to detect any potentially malicious traffic targeting the affected systems.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability highlights the ongoing risks associated with command injection flaws in network devices. Organizations should adopt a proactive approach to vulnerability management, ensuring regular updates and security assessments are performed. For further guidance on threat mitigation, organizations can explore vulnerability management program design and consider leveraging penetration testing to strengthen their defenses.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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