A vulnerability in the HTTP Server feature of Cisco IOS XE Software when the Telephony Service feature is enabled could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on an affected device. This vulnerability is due to a null pointer dereference when accessing specific URLs. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTP traffic to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause the affected device to reload, causing a DoS condition on the affected device.
The severity of this vulnerability is classified as high, with a CVSS score of 8.6. The high severity indicates a significant risk to organizations as it can lead to service interruptions. Given the potential for disruption, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
As of now, there is no public exploit confirmed for this vulnerability, and it is not listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, the risk remains high, and organizations must not become complacent.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of Cisco IOS XE Software should act promptly to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
CVE-2024-20436 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the HTTP Server feature of Cisco IOS XE Software when the Telephony Service feature is enabled. The vulnerability arises from a null pointer dereference when accessing specific URLs. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTP traffic to the affected device, potentially causing it to reload and resulting in a DoS condition.
The CVSS score of 8.6 reflects its high severity, and the vulnerability is categorized under CWE-476 (NULL Pointer Dereference). The affected product is Cisco IOS XE.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is a null pointer dereference that occurs when the HTTP Server feature processes specific URLs. This results in a denial of service condition, as the affected device can be forced to reload, disrupting services.
The attack vector is network-based, allowing remote attackers to exploit this vulnerability without requiring authentication. The complexity of the attack is low, as it does not require any special privileges or user interaction, thus making it easier for attackers to exploit.
The availability impact of this vulnerability is classified as high, as it can cause the affected device to become unavailable. There are no confidentiality or integrity impacts associated with this vulnerability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The potential impact of CVE-2024-20436 on organizations is significant. Given the widespread use of Cisco IOS XE Software, many devices could be affected, leading to potential service outages. The risk to organizations includes the disruption of critical services, which could lead to financial losses and damage to reputation.
Organizations should assess their exposure to this vulnerability, especially those utilizing Cisco IOS XE Software with the Telephony Service feature enabled. The vulnerability's high CVSS score indicates that it should be treated with urgency, and organizations are encouraged to address it in their priority patch cycle.
The urgency for remediation is high, given the potential for exploitation and the impact on availability. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate risks.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions prior to vendor patch in Cisco IOS XE are affected. Specific vulnerable versions include 3.9.0as, 3.9.1s, 3.9.2s, up to 17.12.1a.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should upgrade to the latest version of Cisco IOS XE Software to remediate this vulnerability. In the absence of immediate patch availability, network configurations should be reviewed to limit access to the HTTP Server feature.
For detailed guidance on penetration testing and security assessments, organizations can refer to resources such as penetration testing services to ensure comprehensive security measures.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unusual HTTP traffic patterns, specifically requests that may lead to device reloads. Behavioral anomalies in network performance should also be investigated as potential indicators of exploitation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2024-20436 highlights the necessity for continuous security assessments in network devices. This vulnerability represents a potential trend towards increasing reliance on remote management features, which can be targeted by attackers.
Security teams should learn from this incident by ensuring robust testing of remote management features. The strategic takeaway is to integrate regular security assessments into operational protocols to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities proactively.
For further insights on security practices, organizations can explore topics such as penetration testing methodology, vulnerability management programs, and cloud security assessments 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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