CVE-2017-12270 : What You Need to Know

A security weakness in the gRPC code of Cisco IOS XR Software for Cisco Network Convergence System (NCS) 5500 Series Routers allows unauthorized attackers to exploit the vulnerability without authentication, leading to a denial of service (DoS) scenario by stopping the emsd service. The vulnerability stems from the software's inability to handle HTTP/2 packets properly. Attackers can trigger the exploit by sending a malformed HTTP/2 frame to the compromised device, resulting in a DoS situation when the emsd service halts. This issue is associated with Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvb99388.

Understanding CVE-2017-12270

This section provides insights into the impact and technical details of CVE-2017-12270.

What is CVE-2017-12270?

CVE-2017-12270 is a vulnerability in the gRPC code of Cisco IOS XR Software for Cisco NCS 5500 Series Routers, enabling unauthorized attackers to cause a DoS scenario by disrupting the emsd service through malformed HTTP/2 frames.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12270

The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the gRPC code weakness, leading to a DoS situation by halting the emsd service on affected devices.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12270

This section delves into the vulnerability description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Cisco IOS XR Software for Cisco NCS 5500 Series Routers arises from the software's inability to handle HTTP/2 packets correctly, allowing attackers to disrupt the emsd service through malformed HTTP/2 frames.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco IOS XR
Version: Cisco IOS XR

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the vulnerability by sending malformed HTTP/2 frames to compromised devices.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2017-12270.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the latest security patches from Cisco to address the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities that could indicate an ongoing attack.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and firmware to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Cisco to promptly address any new vulnerabilities.