A vulnerability in the inter-device communication mechanisms between devices running Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software and Cisco Firepower Management (FMC) Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary commands with root permissions on the underlying operating system of an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input.
An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by accessing the expert mode of an affected device and submitting specific commands to a connected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of an FMC device if the attacker has administrative privileges on an associated FTD device. Alternatively, a successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of an FTD device if the attacker has administrative privileges on an associated FMC device.
The severity level of this vulnerability is classified as high, with a CVSS score of 8.2. This level of severity indicates significant risk to organizations, especially those that rely on Cisco's network security products.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The vulnerability was published on November 1, 2023, and its impact could potentially lead to severe consequences if left unaddressed.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands with root permissions due to insufficient input validation. This issue affects versions of Cisco Firepower Threat Defense and Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center. The CVSS score of 8.2 indicates that it is critical for organizations to remediate this vulnerability quickly.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from the failure to validate user input adequately. The attack vector is local, meaning that an attacker must have local access to the device. It has a low attack complexity, and it requires high privileges, making it critical for organizations to ensure that administrative controls are in place.
User interaction is not required for the exploit to be successful. The impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all high, indicating that successful exploitation could lead to significant harm.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes the potential for unauthorized command execution with root privileges, which could compromise the security of the affected systems. The blast radius is significant, as both FTD and FMC devices are vulnerable, potentially leading to widespread exploitation.
Given the high CVSS score and the potential for exploitation, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
Affected versions include Cisco Firepower Threat Defense versions from 6.2.3 to 6.2.3.18, 6.4.0 to 6.4.0.17, 6.6.0 to 6.6.7.1, 6.7.0 to 6.7.0.3, 7.0.0 to 7.0.5, 7.1.0 to 7.1.0.3, and 7.2.0 to 7.2.3. Additionally, Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center versions in the same ranges are also affected.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the latest patches provided by Cisco to remediate this vulnerability. The specific versions to upgrade to are those beyond the ranges mentioned previously. If patches are not immediately available or cannot be applied, organizations should consider implementing network controls to restrict access to affected devices and monitor for any suspicious activities.
For further guidance on securing your systems, organizations may consider professional services such as penetration testing to identify potential vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring logs for unusual command executions, especially those that require elevated privileges, can help in detecting potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also look for behavioral anomalies within the network traffic that may indicate attempted unauthorized access.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations utilizing Cisco's security products. The lessons learned emphasize the importance of validating user input and implementing stringent access controls to mitigate similar risks in the future.
Organizations should stay informed about vulnerabilities affecting their systems and consider adopting a proactive approach to security through regular assessments and monitoring.
For comprehensive vulnerability management, organizations may benefit from reviewing strategies outlined in resources such as vulnerability management programs to strengthen their defenses.
Additionally, organizations can enhance their readiness through penetration testing methodologies to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)