CVE-2017-12235 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability in the PROFINET Discovery and Configuration Protocol (PN-DCP) implementation in Cisco IOS versions 12.2 through 15.6 could allow a remote attacker to trigger a denial of service (DoS) scenario by causing a device restart.

Understanding CVE-2017-12235

This CVE involves a flaw in the way PN-DCP is handled in Cisco IOS, potentially leading to a DoS situation.

What is CVE-2017-12235?

The vulnerability stems from incorrect processing of incoming PN-DCP Identify Request packets, enabling an attacker to send specially crafted packets to restart the affected device, causing a DoS.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12235

Exploiting this vulnerability could result in a DoS scenario by causing the affected device to restart, disrupting its normal operation.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12235

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allows unauthorized remote attackers to exploit the PN-DCP implementation, leading to device restarts and DoS situations.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco IOS
Versions: 12.2 through 15.6

Exploitation Mechanism

Attacker sends a specially designed PN-DCP Identify Request packet to the vulnerable device.
Continues sending regular PN-DCP Identify Request packets to trigger device restart.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-12235 is crucial to prevent potential DoS attacks.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-provided patches and updates promptly.
Implement network segmentation to limit exposure.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious PN-DCP packets.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Cisco IOS devices.
Conduct security assessments to identify and address vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Cisco has released patches to address this vulnerability.
Ensure all affected devices are updated with the latest software releases.