CVE-2018-0281 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2018-0281, a vulnerability in Cisco Firepower System Software that could allow remote attackers to initiate a temporary denial of service condition by exploiting a flaw in TLS connection setup.
A vulnerability in the detection engine of Cisco Firepower System Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to restart an instance of the Snort detection engine on an affected device, resulting in a brief denial of service (DoS) condition. The flaw is a result of mishandling a Transport Layer Security (TLS) extension during TLS connection setup in the impacted software.
Understanding CVE-2018-0281
This CVE involves a vulnerability in Cisco Firepower System Software that could lead to a temporary denial of service (DoS) condition.
What is CVE-2018-0281?
The vulnerability allows an unauthorized remote attacker to restart the Snort detection engine on an affected device by exploiting a flaw in TLS connection setup.
The Impact of CVE-2018-0281
- An attacker could cause a DoS situation by sending a crafted TLS connection setup request to the affected device.
- Successful exploitation could lead to the restart of the Snort detection engine, causing a temporary DoS condition.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-0281
This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability is a result of mishandling a TLS extension during the establishment of TLS connections in the affected software.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Cisco Firepower System Software
- Version: Cisco Firepower System Software
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attacker sends a carefully constructed TLS connection setup request to the affected device.
- Successful exploit results in the restart of the Snort detection engine, leading to a DoS situation.
Mitigation and Prevention
Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2018-0281 vulnerability.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply vendor patches or updates as soon as they are available.
- Monitor network traffic for any signs of exploitation.
- Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch all software and systems to prevent known vulnerabilities.
- Conduct security training for employees to raise awareness of social engineering tactics.
Patching and Updates
- Check for security advisories from Cisco regarding patches for the vulnerability.
- Apply recommended patches promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation.