CVE-2018-0185 : What You Need to Know

Cisco IOS XE Software contains vulnerabilities in its CLI parser that could allow a local attacker to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges.

Understanding CVE-2018-0185

These vulnerabilities enable an authenticated attacker to inject harmful commands into the CLI, leading to unauthorized access to the underlying Linux shell and execution of commands with elevated privileges.

What is CVE-2018-0185?

The weaknesses in the CLI parser of Cisco IOS XE Software allow a local attacker to introduce arbitrary commands, potentially gaining root access to execute commands on the device.

The Impact of CVE-2018-0185

Unauthorized access to the Linux shell with root privileges
Execution of arbitrary commands on the targeted device

Technical Details of CVE-2018-0185

The technical aspects of this CVE provide insight into the vulnerability and affected systems.

Vulnerability Description

Lack of command argument sanitization in the CLI parser
Vulnerabilities in Cisco IOS XE Software

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco IOS XE
Version: Cisco IOS XE

Exploitation Mechanism

Attacker submits a harmful CLI command to the affected software
Successful exploitation allows access to the Linux shell and execution of commands with root privileges

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-0185 involves immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-supplied patches and updates
Monitor network traffic for signs of exploitation
Restrict access to vulnerable systems

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular security training for staff
Implement least privilege access controls
Conduct regular security audits and assessments

Patching and Updates

Cisco has released patches to address these vulnerabilities
Regularly update and patch affected systems to mitigate the risk