CVE-2017-6748 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2017-6748, a vulnerability in Cisco Web Security Appliance allowing command injection and privilege escalation. Find out affected versions and mitigation steps.
A vulnerability in the command-line interface (CLI) parser of the Cisco Web Security Appliance (WSA) allows a local attacker with valid credentials to execute commands and gain elevated privileges.
Understanding CVE-2017-6748
This CVE involves a command injection and privilege escalation vulnerability in the Cisco Web Security Appliance (WSA).
What is CVE-2017-6748?
The weakness in the CLI parser of the Cisco WSA enables an authenticated local attacker to perform command injection, potentially leading to root access.
The Impact of CVE-2017-6748
- An attacker with valid credentials can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands and elevate their privileges on the affected system.
- Both virtual and hardware versions of the Cisco WSA are susceptible to this vulnerability.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-6748
This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in the CLI parser of the Cisco WSA allows an attacker to inject commands and escalate their privileges to root level.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Affected Products: Cisco Web Security Appliance (WSA) in both virtual and hardware versions.
- Known Affected Releases: 10.1.0-204
- Fixed Releases: 10.5.1-270, 10.1.1-234
Exploitation Mechanism
To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker needs valid credentials with operator-level or administrator-level permissions.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2017-6748 is crucial to maintaining security.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the fixed releases 10.5.1-270 or 10.1.1-234 to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch the Cisco WSA to prevent known vulnerabilities.
- Implement strong authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access.
Patching and Updates
- Stay informed about security advisories from Cisco and promptly apply patches to secure the system.