CVE-2018-0211 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in specific CLI commands for the Cisco Identity Services Engine could allow an authenticated, local attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition. The device may need to be manually rebooted to recover. The vulnerability is due to a lack of proper input validation of the CLI user input for certain CLI commands. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to the device and issuing a crafted, malicious CLI command on the targeted device. The attacker must have valid administrative privileges on the device to exploit this vulnerability. This flaw could lead to a DoS state, requiring a manual reboot for recovery.

Understanding CVE-2018-0211

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in the Cisco Identity Services Engine that could be exploited by a local attacker with administrative privileges to initiate a DoS state.

What is CVE-2018-0211?

The vulnerability in certain CLI commands for the Cisco Identity Services Engine allows an authenticated attacker to trigger a DoS condition by executing a malicious CLI command.

The Impact of CVE-2018-0211

The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in a denial of service state, necessitating a manual reboot of the affected device. The attacker must already be authenticated and possess administrative privileges to carry out the attack.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-0211

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw arises from inadequate validation of the CLI user input for specific CLI commands, enabling an attacker to execute a crafted command leading to a DoS state.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco Identity Services Engine
Version: Cisco Identity Services Engine

Exploitation Mechanism

Attacker authenticates to the device with administrative privileges
Executes a maliciously crafted CLI command
Successful exploitation results in a DoS state

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-0211 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-supplied patches promptly
Monitor network traffic for signs of exploitation
Restrict access to administrative privileges

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and firmware
Conduct security training for staff to recognize and report suspicious activities

Patching and Updates

Cisco may release patches to address this vulnerability
Stay informed about security advisories and apply patches as soon as they are available