A vulnerability in the processing of SSH connections of Cisco Firepower Management Center (FMC) and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on an affected device. This vulnerability is due to improper error handling when an SSH session fails to be established. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a high rate of crafted SSH connections to the instance. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause resource exhaustion, resulting in a reboot on the affected device.
With a CVSS score of 7.5, this vulnerability is classified as high severity. The urgency for organizations to address this issue is critical, as it can lead to significant operational disruptions through denial of service. Given the nature of the vulnerability, immediate patching is recommended to prevent its exploitation.
At this time, there are no known exploits or public proofs of concept available for this vulnerability. However, the potential for exploitation exists due to the nature of the vulnerability. Organizations should take proactive measures to secure their devices.
Organizations should monitor their Cisco Firepower Management Center and Firepower Threat Defense devices for any signs of unusual activity that may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
For those using the affected products, it is essential to stay informed about the latest patches and updates from Cisco to ensure the security of their systems.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows for a denial of service due to improper error handling in the SSH connection process. The affected products include the Cisco Firepower Management Center and Firepower Threat Defense Software. It was published on November 15, 2022, and is classified under CWE-400 and CWE-755.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the error handling process during SSH connection attempts. When a session fails, the system does not handle the error properly, allowing an attacker to send multiple connection requests that exhaust system resources. This can lead to a reboot of the affected device, causing downtime.
The attack vector is network-based with low attack complexity, requiring no privileges or user interaction to exploit. The impacts are significant, affecting the availability of the device but having no impact on confidentiality or integrity.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes potential service disruptions due to device reboots, which can affect network security and availability. This vulnerability presents a blast radius that can impact multiple devices if they are targeted simultaneously.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle, especially if they operate critical infrastructure relying on the affected Cisco products.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of Cisco Firepower Management Center and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense Software prior to vendor patching are vulnerable. Specific versions include, but are not limited to, the following ranges:
- Cisco Firepower Management Center: 6.1.0 to 6.1.0.7, 6.2.0 to 6.2.0.6, 6.2.2 to 6.2.2.5, 6.2.3 to 6.2.3.18, 6.3.0 to 6.3.0.5, 6.4.0 to 6.4.0.15, 6.5.0 to 6.5.0.5, 6.7.0 to 6.7.0.3, 6.2.1, 6.6.0, 6.6.0.1, 6.6.1, 6.6.3, 6.6.4, 6.6.5, 6.6.5.1, 6.6.5.2, 7.0.0 to 7.0.4.
- Cisco Firepower Threat Defense: 6.1.0 to 6.1.0.7, 6.2.0 to 6.2.0.6, 6.2.2 to 6.2.2.5, 6.2.3 to 6.2.3.18, 6.3.0 to 6.3.0.5, 6.4.0 to 6.4.0.15, 6.5.0 to 6.5.0.5, 6.7.0 to 6.7.0.3, 6.2.1, 6.6.0, 6.6.0.1, 6.6.1, 6.6.3, 6.6.4, 6.6.5, 6.6.5.1, 6.6.5.2, 7.0.0 to 7.0.4.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should ensure that their Cisco Firepower Management Center and Firepower Threat Defense Software are updated to the latest versions as provided by Cisco. If a patch is not available, consider implementing network controls to limit SSH access and monitor for abnormal traffic patterns that may indicate attempted exploitation.
For further assistance, organizations may consider engaging in penetration testing to assess their security posture.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring for abnormal patterns of SSH connection attempts can help organizations detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, logging and analyzing device resource usage can provide insights into whether a denial of service condition is being approached.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability is the reminder of the importance of robust error handling in network services. As attackers continue to exploit such weaknesses, organizations must remain vigilant and prioritize updates and patches.
This incident represents a trend in vulnerabilities that exploit resource exhaustion. Security teams should learn to identify and remediate these vulnerabilities proactively.
For further reading on securing network environments, organizations can refer to the following resources: network security architecture design principles and penetration testing methodology. By implementing these best practices, organizations can enhance their security posture against similar threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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