CVE-2017-12243 : Security Advisory and Response

A security flaw has been identified in Cisco UCS Manager, Cisco Firepower 4100 Series NGFW, and Cisco Firepower 9300 Security Appliance, potentially allowing a local attacker to gain root shell privileges through Command Injection.

Understanding CVE-2017-12243

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Cisco UCS Manager, Cisco Firepower 4100 Series NGFW, and Cisco Firepower 9300 Security Appliance that could be exploited by an authenticated local attacker to acquire root shell privileges.

What is CVE-2017-12243?

The vulnerability, known as Command Injection, results from inadequate validation of string input in the shell application, enabling attackers to execute malicious commands and gain root shell access.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12243

The vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access and control of the affected devices, potentially compromising the security and integrity of the systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12243

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows a local attacker with authenticated access to execute arbitrary commands, potentially leading to the acquisition of root shell privileges on the device.

Affected Systems and Versions

Products: Cisco UCS Manager, Cisco Firepower 4100 Series NGFW, and Cisco Firepower 9300 Security Appliance
Versions: Cisco UCS Manager, Cisco Firepower 4100 Series NGFW, and Cisco Firepower 9300 Security Appliance

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability arises from the lack of proper validation of string inputs in the shell application, enabling attackers to inject and execute malicious commands to gain unauthorized access.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-12243 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches and updates provided by Cisco to address the vulnerability promptly.
Monitor network traffic and system logs for any suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict access rights for users and applications.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate vulnerabilities proactively.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security advisories and updates from Cisco to ensure that systems are protected against known vulnerabilities.