CVE-2018-0176 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Cisco IOS XE Software vulnerabilities allow local attackers to gain root-level control over affected devices.

Understanding CVE-2018-0176

Multiple weaknesses in the CLI parser of Cisco IOS XE Software enable unauthorized access to the Linux shell of affected devices.

What is CVE-2018-0176?

The vulnerabilities in Cisco IOS XE Software's CLI parser can be exploited by local attackers with authentication to execute unauthorized commands with root privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2018-0176

Attackers can access the Linux shell of affected devices and run arbitrary commands with root privileges.
Vulnerabilities arise from inadequate sanitization of command arguments, allowing access to internal device data structures.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-0176

Vulnerability Description

Insufficient sanitization of command arguments in the CLI parser of Cisco IOS XE Software.
Attackers with user EXEC mode access can execute specially crafted CLI commands to gain root-level control.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco IOS XE
Version: Cisco IOS XE

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers need user EXEC mode access to execute crafted CLI commands and exploit vulnerabilities.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-provided patches and updates promptly.
Monitor Cisco's security advisories for relevant information.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement the principle of least privilege to restrict user access.
Regularly review and update security configurations.
Conduct security training to educate users on safe practices.

Patching and Updates

Cisco has released patches to address the vulnerabilities in Cisco IOS XE Software.