CVE-2018-0255 : What You Need to Know

Cisco Industrial Ethernet Switches are affected by a security flaw that allows unauthorized attackers to exploit a cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability. The flaw resides in the device manager web interface, enabling attackers to manipulate user actions and perform unauthorized requests.

Understanding CVE-2018-0255

This CVE entry highlights a vulnerability in Cisco Industrial Ethernet Switches that could be leveraged by malicious actors to execute CSRF attacks.

What is CVE-2018-0255?

The vulnerability in the device manager web interface of Cisco Industrial Ethernet Switches permits unauthenticated remote attackers to conduct CSRF attacks against users of affected systems. The flaw arises from inadequate CSRF protection in the web interface, enabling attackers to send unauthorized requests to the device.

The Impact of CVE-2018-0255

The vulnerability poses a significant risk as attackers can manipulate user interactions to perform unauthorized actions on the affected devices. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized requests being sent through the device manager web interface using the user's privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-0255

Cisco Industrial Ethernet Switches are susceptible to CSRF attacks due to a security flaw in the device manager web interface.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit insufficient CSRF protection in the web interface, enabling them to trick users into executing malicious actions on the affected devices.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts Cisco Industrial Ethernet (IE) Switches running vulnerable versions of Cisco IOS Software, including IE 2000 Series, IE 2000U Series, IE 3000 Series, IE 3010 Series, IE 4000 Series, IE 4010 Series, and IE 5000 Series.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by persuading users to click on malicious links or visit attacker-controlled websites, allowing them to submit unauthorized requests to affected devices through the web interface.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-0255, immediate steps and long-term security practices are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement security patches provided by Cisco promptly.
Educate users about the risks of clicking on unknown links.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all network devices and software.
Conduct security awareness training for employees to recognize and report suspicious activities.

Patching and Updates

Apply the necessary patches and updates released by Cisco to mitigate the vulnerability and enhance the security of the affected systems.