A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to perform a cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attack and execute commands on the CLI of an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient CSRF protections for the web-based management interface of an affected device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading an already authenticated user to follow a crafted link. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to perform arbitrary actions on the affected device with the privileges of the targeted user.
With a CVSS score of 8.1, this vulnerability is classified as high severity. The potential risk to organizations includes unauthorized command execution on critical network devices, which can lead to significant operational disruptions. Given its exploitation status, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
As of now, there are no known exploits available in the public domain for this vulnerability. However, the CSRF attack vector poses a significant threat, especially in environments where users may be tricked into clicking malicious links.
Organizations utilizing Cisco IOS XE Software should assess their exposure to this vulnerability and implement mitigations as a part of their security practices.
Vulnerability Details
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to perform a cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attack and execute commands on the CLI of an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient CSRF protections for the web-based management interface of an affected device.
The attack vector is network-based, requiring low complexity and no privileges, while user interaction is required to exploit the vulnerability.
The CVSS vector for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H, indicating a high impact on integrity and availability.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient CSRF protections implemented in the web-based management interface of affected Cisco IOS XE devices. Attackers may leverage this weakness by persuading authenticated users to execute malicious commands unknowingly.
The attack vector is through network interactions, and the complexity of executing such an attack is low, given that it relies heavily on social engineering tactics to persuade users to click on crafted links.
Since no privileges are required to initiate the attack, any authenticated user can potentially be manipulated into executing malicious commands, leading to significant integrity and availability impacts on the affected systems.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized command execution, which could result in changes to device configurations, data exposure, and service disruptions. The vulnerability’s high CVSS score indicates a significant risk that organizations must address promptly.
The vulnerability has been assessed as having a high exploitability score, and organizations should prioritize remediation efforts. The potential for widespread impact across networked devices makes this vulnerability a critical concern.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects the following versions of Cisco IOS XE Software: 17.3.2, 17.3.2a, 17.3.3, 17.3.4, 17.3.4a, 17.3.4b, 17.3.4c, 17.3.5, 17.3.5a, 17.3.5b, 17.3.6, 17.3.7, 17.3.8, 17.3.8a, 17.4.1, 17.4.1a, 17.4.1b, 17.4.2, 17.4.2a, 17.5.1, 17.5.1a, 17.6.1, 17.6.1a, 17.6.1w, 17.6.1x, 17.6.1y, 17.6.1z, 17.6.1z1, 17.6.2, 17.6.3, 17.6.3a, 17.6.4, 17.6.5, 17.6.5a, 17.6.6, 17.6.6a, 17.7.1, 17.7.1a, 17.7.1b, 17.7.2, 17.8.1, 17.8.1a, 17.9.1, 17.9.1a, 17.9.1w, 17.9.1x, 17.9.1x1, 17.9.1y, 17.9.1y1, 17.9.2, 17.9.2a, 17.9.3, 17.9.3a, 17.9.4, 17.9.4a, 17.10.1, 17.10.1a, 17.10.1b, 17.11.1, 17.11.1a, 17.11.99sw, 17.12.1, 17.12.1a, 17.12.1w, 17.12.1x, 17.12.1y.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching affected Cisco IOS XE Software versions to mitigate this vulnerability. Regular updates and patches from Cisco should be monitored and applied as soon as they are available. For immediate protection, it is recommended to limit access to the web-based management interface and utilize network controls to restrict unauthorized access.
For additional guidance on improving security posture, organizations may consider conducting a penetration testing engagement to identify potential vulnerabilities in their configurations.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring logs for unexpected command executions or changes to device configurations can assist in detecting potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also look for behavioral anomalies consistent with CSRF attacks, such as unusual user interactions or access patterns.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2024-20437 highlights the ongoing need for robust CSRF protections in web-based management interfaces. Security teams must remain vigilant against similar vulnerabilities that could arise in the future. Additionally, organizations should implement proactive measures to safeguard against unauthorized command execution, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive security assessments.
For further reading on security best practices and vulnerabilities, consider reviewing our articles on penetration testing methodology, vulnerability management programs, and API penetration testing strategies.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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