A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on an affected device. This vulnerability exists because incorrect privileges are associated with the start maintenance command. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by accessing the management CLI of the affected device as a low-privileged user and using the start maintenance command. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to put the device in maintenance mode, which shuts down interfaces, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. In case of exploitation, a device administrator can connect to the CLI and use the stop maintenance command to restore operations.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 6.5, indicating a medium severity. The risk to organizations includes potential service interruption, which could impact business operations. Given the nature of this vulnerability, 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 Vulnerability (KEV) database. However, the associated risks warrant immediate attention from security teams to prevent any potential denial of service incidents.
Organizations using Cisco IOS XE Software should review their configurations and ensure that only authorized personnel have access to the management CLI. Regular audits and monitoring can also help in mitigating the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is classified under CWE-266, which pertains to incorrect privilege assignment. It affects the availability of the affected device, potentially rendering it unusable until administrative intervention is applied.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is the improper privilege level assigned to the start maintenance command within the management CLI of Cisco IOS XE Software. This allows low-privileged users to execute the command, leading to the possibility of shutting down device interfaces without adequate authorization.
The attack vector is local, meaning that an attacker must have access to the device physically or through a trusted network. The attack complexity is low, as the attacker does not require high levels of skill to execute the attack. Privileges required are also low, allowing any authenticated user access to exploit this vulnerability.
There is no user interaction required for this vulnerability to be exploited, and the impact on availability is high, as the device will be rendered non-operational until corrected by an administrator.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The potential impact of this vulnerability can lead to significant disruptions in services, affecting organizational operations and customer trust. The blast radius could include multiple devices if an attacker gains access to the management CLI and exploits this vulnerability across different devices.
Given the CVSS score of 6.5, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. The low EPSS score indicates a lower likelihood of exploitation, but the consequences of a successful attack can be severe.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions prior to vendor patch are affected. Organizations should ensure they are running the latest version of Cisco IOS XE Software to mitigate this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the latest patches provided by Cisco for IOS XE Software. Regular audits of user privileges should be conducted to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to the management CLI. For further guidance on best practices for penetration testing and vulnerability management, organizations can refer to penetration testing methodology. Additionally, configuration hardening and implementing network controls can help in mitigating potential risks.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unauthorized access attempts and unusual commands executed in the management CLI. Behavioral anomalies, such as attempts to access the start maintenance command by low-privileged users, should be flagged for investigation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability lies in the potential for attackers to exploit misconfigured privileges to disrupt service. This pattern highlights the importance of rigorous access control measures within network devices. Security teams should take away the lesson that regular audits and privilege reviews are essential to maintaining security posture.
For more information on enhancing your security practices, organizations can explore vulnerability management program design and consider implementing penetration testing to proactively identify vulnerabilities.
Additionally, organizations should review their security posture against emerging threats by following insights available at cloud security statistics and remain vigilant against evolving attack strategies.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)