CVE-2018-0362 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A vulnerability in the BIOS authentication management of Cisco 5000 Series Enterprise Network Compute System and Cisco Unified Computing (UCS) E-Series Servers could allow an unauthenticated local attacker to bypass BIOS authentication and execute actions as an unprivileged user. The vulnerability is attributed to inadequate security restrictions within the affected systems.

Understanding CVE-2018-0362

This CVE entry describes a security flaw in the handling of BIOS authentication in specific Cisco devices, potentially enabling unauthorized access and actions by exploiting a weakness in the authentication process.

What is CVE-2018-0362?

The vulnerability in CVE-2018-0362 allows a local attacker without authentication to bypass BIOS authentication on the affected Cisco devices. By submitting a blank password value, the attacker can gain access to a limited set of BIOS commands at the user level.

The Impact of CVE-2018-0362

The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access and actions with the privileges of an unprivileged user. This could compromise the integrity and security of the affected systems, potentially resulting in unauthorized configuration changes or data access.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-0362

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the mishandling of BIOS authentication in the Cisco 5000 Series Enterprise Network Compute System and Cisco UCS E-Series Servers, allowing unauthorized access by exploiting security restrictions.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco 5000 Series Enterprise Network Compute System and Cisco UCS E-Series Servers (unknown version)

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit the vulnerability by submitting a blank password value to the affected device's BIOS authentication prompt.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-0362 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Cisco to address the vulnerability.
Monitor system logs for any unusual activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong password policies to prevent unauthorized access through authentication bypasses.
Regularly update and patch systems to mitigate known vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security advisories and updates from Cisco to ensure systems are protected against known vulnerabilities.