CVE-2024-20480 is a high-severity vulnerability impacting the DHCP Snooping feature of Cisco IOS XE Software, specifically on Software-Defined Access (SD-Access) fabric edge nodes. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated, remote attackers to send specially crafted IPv4 DHCP packets, which can cause the affected device to experience high CPU utilization, ultimately leading to a denial of service (DoS) condition that requires manual reload to recover. Organizations using affected versions should prioritize remediation.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.6, categorized as high severity. The potential for a DoS condition poses a significant risk to organizations relying on Cisco networking equipment for their operations. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to disrupt service availability, which can have critical operational impacts.
As of now, no public exploits have been confirmed, and the vulnerability is not included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, the nature of this vulnerability necessitates immediate attention to mitigate potential risks.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to safeguard against possible exploitation of this vulnerability. Ensuring that all networking devices are updated to the latest software version is critical to maintaining operational integrity.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability stems from improper handling of IPv4 DHCP packets. An attacker can exploit this flaw by sending specific DHCP packets to the device, leading to excessive CPU resource consumption and service disruption.
The affected product is Cisco IOS XE, with a CVSS score of 8.6 indicating high severity. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-783 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation) and CWE-670 (Access to Resource Using Incompatible Interface). The issue was published on September 25, 2024.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2024-20480 is the inadequate handling of DHCP packets, resulting in high CPU utilization. The attack vector is network-based, meaning that no local privileges are required for exploitation. The attack complexity is low, and user interaction is not necessary. The confidentiality and integrity impacts are negligible, but the availability impact is high due to the potential for service disruption.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes significant operational disruption, as the vulnerability can lead to a denial of service that is not only inconvenient but can also cause substantial financial loss. The blast radius is considerable, as many devices may be vulnerable. Given the CVSS score of 8.6, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerable versions of Cisco IOS XE include 16.1.1 through 17.14.1a. Organizations running these versions should verify their systems and implement the necessary patches.
Mitigation & Remediation
Cisco has released patches for the affected versions. Organizations should upgrade to the latest version of Cisco IOS XE to mitigate the risk of this vulnerability. For systems unable to upgrade, consider applying configuration hardening measures and monitoring mechanisms to detect suspicious DHCP traffic.
Detection Guidance
Monitor network traffic for unusual DHCP packets that could indicate an attempt to exploit this vulnerability. Logging and alerting for high CPU utilization on affected devices can also help in early detection.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This CVE highlights the ongoing risks associated with network-based vulnerabilities. Security teams should ensure they have robust monitoring and incident response capabilities to detect and mitigate such threats promptly. For more insights into vulnerability management, organizations should consider reviewing the vulnerability management program and best practices for continuous security testing. Regular reviews of system configurations and prompt patching of identified vulnerabilities will enhance overall security posture.
For detailed guidance on penetration testing, organizations can refer to the penetration testing methodology and explore the evolving landscape of cyber threats.
Furthermore, leveraging expert services such as penetration testing can help identify and address potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)