CVE-2017-3885 : What You Need to Know

Cisco Firepower System Software has a vulnerability in its detection engine reassembly for SSL packets, potentially leading to a denial of service (DoS) attack.

Understanding CVE-2017-3885

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the Cisco Firepower System Software that could be exploited by a remote attacker to cause a DoS situation.

What is CVE-2017-3885?

The vulnerability lies in the detection engine reassembly for SSL packets in Cisco Firepower System Software.
It allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to trigger a DoS attack by causing the Snort process to consume excessive CPU resources.

The Impact of CVE-2017-3885

A successful exploit could lead to a DoS situation, disrupting the normal operation of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-3885

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

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability affects Cisco Firepower System Software versions 6.0.0, 6.1.0, 6.2.0, and 6.2.1.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected products: Cisco Firepower Detection Engine
Versions: Cisco Firepower Detection Engine

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by a remote attacker without authentication, specifically when the device is configured with an SSL policy containing traffic decryption rules.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here are the steps to mitigate and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2017-3885.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the necessary patches provided by Cisco to address the vulnerability.
Ensure that SSL policies do not include rules specifying traffic decryption to reduce the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch the Cisco Firepower System Software to protect against known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Cisco and promptly apply recommended patches to secure the system.