CVE-2018-0480 : What You Need to Know

Cisco IOS XE Software Errdisable Denial of Service Vulnerability

Understanding CVE-2018-0480

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software that could allow an adjacent attacker to crash the device, leading to a denial of service (DoS) situation.

What is CVE-2018-0480?

The flaw in the errdisable per VLAN feature of Cisco IOS XE Software can be exploited by an attacker without authentication. By triggering the errdisable condition, the attacker can crash the device, causing a DoS scenario.

The Impact of CVE-2018-0480

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 7.4, indicating a significant impact. An attacker can exploit this flaw to disrupt the targeted device, potentially leading to service unavailability.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-0480

The following technical details provide insight into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw arises from a race condition when both the VLAN and port enter an errdisabled state simultaneously, resulting in incorrect software behavior.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco IOS XE Software
Vendor: Cisco
Affected Version: n/a

Exploitation Mechanism

Attacker triggers the errdisable condition by sending frames
Successful exploitation can crash the device, causing a DoS situation

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-0480 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-provided patches promptly
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities
Implement network segmentation to limit the attack surface

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software and firmware
Conduct security training for staff to recognize and respond to potential threats

Patching and Updates

Cisco has released patches to address this vulnerability
Regularly check for updates and apply them to ensure system security