A vulnerability in the REST API and web UI of Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (NDFC) could allow an authenticated, low-privileged, remote attacker to perform a command injection attack against an affected device. This vulnerability is due to improper user authorization and insufficient validation of command arguments. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by submitting crafted commands to an affected REST API endpoint or through the web UI. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the CLI of a Cisco NDFC-managed device with network-admin privileges. Note: This vulnerability does not affect Cisco NDFC when it is configured for storage area network (SAN) controller deployment.
With a CVSS score of 9.9, this vulnerability is classified as critical. Organizations leveraging Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller are at substantial risk due to the potential for unauthorized command execution, which could compromise their network infrastructure. The urgency for organizations to patch this vulnerability cannot be overstated.
Although there are no known exploits available at this time, the nature of the vulnerability indicates that attackers may quickly develop methods to exploit it, especially given its critical severity. Therefore, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
The vulnerability was published on October 2, 2024, and identified under CWE-77, which pertains to command injection issues. This highlights the importance of rigorous validation mechanisms in API endpoints to prevent such vulnerabilities.
Organizations must evaluate their configurations and ensure that all necessary updates are applied without delay. This is critical to maintaining the integrity and security of their networked environments.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows authenticated low-privileged users to perform command injection due to improper user authorization and insufficient validation of command arguments. The affected product is the Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user inputs, which can lead to command injection. The attack vector is network-based, and the complexity is low, requiring only low privileges to exploit. Importantly, user interaction is not required, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous.
The impacts of this vulnerability are significant, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability with high impacts. Consequently, if exploited, an attacker could gain unauthorized control over the device.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to critical infrastructure and data loss. The blast radius could extend to all devices managed by the Cisco NDFC, increasing the urgency for organizations to respond. Given the high CVSS score of 9.9 and the nature of the vulnerability, organizations should address this in their priority patch cycle.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
This vulnerability affects the Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller, specifically versions from 12.0.0 to 12.2.1. Organizations should ensure that they are running the latest patched version.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest version of Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller to mitigate this vulnerability. Ensure proper user authorization is enforced and consider implementing additional validation on command inputs. For more information on security practices, organizations can refer to application security assessments and other security measures.
Detection Guidance
Monitor logs for anomalies, especially around REST API access. Look for unexpected command executions or unauthorized attempts to access the web UI. Implement network signatures to detect any unusual patterns that could indicate an attempted exploit.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2024-20432 lies in its demonstration of how critical vulnerabilities can arise from inadequate user input validation. This incident serves as a reminder for security teams to continuously evaluate their security posture and implement proactive measures. Organizations should consider enhancing their layers of defense through red teaming services and continuous penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Additionally, organizations can benefit from engaging in a comprehensive penetration testing program to discover and remediate potential weaknesses in their environments.
In conclusion, organizations must take immediate action to mitigate the risk posed by this vulnerability to protect their assets and maintain operational integrity.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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