CVE-2018-0156 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Cisco IOS and IOS XE Smart Install feature vulnerability leading to denial of service (DoS).

Understanding CVE-2018-0156

A vulnerability in Cisco IOS and IOS XE Smart Install feature allows unauthorized individuals to trigger device reloads, causing DoS.

What is CVE-2018-0156?

The Smart Install feature of Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software has a flaw that enables attackers to send manipulated packets to devices, leading to reloads and DoS.

The Impact of CVE-2018-0156

Unauthorized individuals can cause affected devices to reload, resulting in denial of service situations
Vulnerability arises from inadequate validation of packet data
Attackers must send specifically manipulated packets to devices on TCP port 4786
Only Smart Install client switches are affected

Technical Details of CVE-2018-0156

Affecting Cisco IOS and IOS XE Smart Install feature.

Vulnerability Description

Flaw in Smart Install feature allows unauthorized reloads of devices
Vulnerability due to inadequate validation of packet data

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco IOS and IOS XE
Versions: Cisco IOS and IOS XE

Exploitation Mechanism

Attacker transmits manipulated packets to affected devices on TCP port 4786
Only impacts Smart Install client switches

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-0156.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable Smart Install feature if not needed
Implement infrastructure access control lists to restrict access to TCP port 4786
Monitor network traffic for suspicious activity

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Cisco devices
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify vulnerabilities

Patching and Updates

Apply relevant patches and updates from Cisco to address the vulnerability