CVE-2018-0308 : Security Advisory and Response

A security loophole has been discovered in both Cisco FXOS Software and Cisco NX-OS Software, specifically in the Cisco Fabric Services component. This vulnerability could potentially enable a remote attacker without authentication to execute unauthorized code or create a denial of service (DoS) situation. The reason behind this vulnerability lies in the inadequate validation of header values within Cisco Fabric Services packets. This vulnerability affects numerous Cisco products that utilize Cisco Fabric Services.

Understanding CVE-2018-0308

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Cisco FXOS Software and Cisco NX-OS Software that could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (DoS) condition.

What is CVE-2018-0308?

The vulnerability in Cisco Fabric Services component of Cisco FXOS Software and Cisco NX-OS Software allows unauthenticated remote attackers to exploit header value validation issues, potentially leading to code execution or DoS attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2018-0308

Remote attackers can execute unauthorized code or create DoS scenarios without authentication.
Exploiting this flaw requires sending a carefully crafted Cisco Fabric Services packet to a vulnerable device.
Successful exploitation could result in a buffer overflow, granting the attacker the ability to execute arbitrary code or cause a DoS scenario.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-0308

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation of header values in Cisco Fabric Services packets, allowing attackers to send crafted packets to exploit the flaw.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following Cisco products are affected if configured to use Cisco Fabric Services:

Firepower 4100 Series Next-Generation Firewalls
Firepower 9300 Security Appliance
MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Switches
Nexus series switches (2000, 3000, 3500, 5500, 5600, 6000, 7000, 7700, 9000)
UCS series fabric interconnects (6100, 6200, 6300)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the vulnerability by sending crafted Cisco Fabric Services packets to vulnerable devices.
Successful exploitation can lead to buffer overflow, enabling arbitrary code execution or DoS attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-0308 requires immediate steps and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches and updates provided by Cisco to address the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any signs of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all Cisco products to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Cisco and apply patches promptly to secure the affected systems.