A vulnerability in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software for Cisco Firepower 1000, 2100, 3100, and 4200 Series could allow an unauthenticated, local attacker to access an affected system using static credentials. This vulnerability is due to the presence of static accounts with hard-coded passwords on an affected system.
An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by logging in to the CLI of an affected device with these credentials. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to access the affected system and retrieve sensitive information, perform limited troubleshooting actions, modify some configuration options, or render the device unable to boot to the operating system, requiring a reimage of the device.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 9.3, indicating a critical severity level. Organizations using the affected Cisco Firepower models should prioritize patching immediately.
As of now, there are no known public exploits confirmed, but the presence of static credentials poses a significant risk to affected systems.
Organizations should assess their environments to identify any affected systems and apply necessary patches as soon as possible.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows unauthenticated local attackers to gain unauthorized access to devices running Cisco Firepower Threat Defense. The affected versions include 7.1.0, 7.2.0, 7.3.0, and 7.4.0 series.
The CVSS score, based on the NVD metrics, is 8.4, indicating high severity, while Cisco's assessment gives it a critical score of 9.3. Both scores highlight the urgency for organizations to mitigate this risk.
The vulnerability is classified under CWE-259 and CWE-798, indicating issues related to hard-coded passwords and the use of static credentials.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the presence of static accounts with hard-coded passwords. Attackers with local access can exploit this vulnerability due to the low attack complexity and no privileges required.
The attack vector is local, meaning an attacker must have physical or remote access to the device. User interaction is not required, and the impacts include high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, as defined by the CVSS metrics.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data. The potential for attackers to modify configurations or cause devices to become inoperable increases the blast radius for organizations relying on Cisco Firepower solutions.
Given the criticality of this vulnerability and its potential exploitation, organizations should assess their environments immediately. The urgency for patching cannot be overstated, especially considering the critical CVSS score.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerable versions of Cisco Firepower Threat Defense include:
All versions prior to vendor patch, specifically versions: 7.1.0, 7.2.0, 7.3.0, and 7.4.0.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Cisco has released updates to remediate this vulnerability. Ensure that devices are updated to secure versions.
In cases where patching is not feasible, consider disabling any static accounts or implementing alternative authentication methods to reduce exposure.
Detection Guidance
Monitor logs for unauthorized access attempts and unusual behavior in the CLI of devices. Look for indicators of compromise related to static credential usage.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability highlights the risks associated with static credentials in enterprise environments. Security teams should regularly audit configurations to ensure hard-coded credentials are not in use.
Organizations should consider adopting a security testing approach that includes penetration testing to proactively identify and mitigate similar vulnerabilities.
Consider implementing a comprehensive security posture that includes regular reviews of user access levels and credential management practices.
For further information on securing your network against vulnerabilities, organizations can refer to best practices for penetration testing methodology and vulnerability management.
Organizations looking to enhance their security measures should explore vulnerability management programs and continuous security assessments.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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