CVE-2018-0157 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Learn about CVE-2018-0157, a vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software that allows remote attackers to crash devices by sending fragmented packets, potentially leading to denial of service (DoS) situations. Find out how to mitigate and prevent exploitation.
A vulnerability in the Zone-Based Firewall code of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a device to reload. This flaw is a result of how fragmented packets are handled within the firewall code, potentially leading to a denial of service (DoS) situation.
Understanding CVE-2018-0157
This CVE entry describes a vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software that could be exploited by an attacker to crash a device by sending fragmented packets through it.
What is CVE-2018-0157?
The vulnerability in the Zone-Based Firewall code of Cisco IOS XE Software allows an attacker to crash a device by sending fragmented packets of IP Version 4 or IP Version 6 protocols through the affected device.
The Impact of CVE-2018-0157
If successfully exploited, this vulnerability could lead to a denial of service (DoS) situation by causing the device to reload.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-0157
This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The flaw in the Zone-Based Firewall code of Cisco IOS XE Software allows an attacker to crash a device by sending fragmented packets through it.
Affected Systems and Versions
The susceptible versions of Cisco IOS XE Software include Everest-16.4.1, Everest-16.4.2, Everest-16.5.1, Everest-16.5.1b, Everest-16.6.1, and Everest-16.6.1a.
Exploitation Mechanism
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending fragmented IP Version 4 or IP Version 6 packets through an affected device, causing it to crash.
Mitigation and Prevention
Here are the steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the necessary security patches provided by Cisco to address this vulnerability.
- Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate an ongoing attack.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch all software and firmware to prevent known vulnerabilities from being exploited.
- Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all affected systems are updated with the latest patches released by Cisco to mitigate the vulnerability.