CVE-2019-12648 : Security Advisory and Response

A security flaw in the IOx application environment of Cisco IOS Software allows unauthorized access to the Guest Operating System (Guest OS) on affected devices.

Understanding CVE-2019-12648

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Cisco IOS Software that could potentially lead to unauthorized access to the Guest OS on affected devices.

What is CVE-2019-12648?

The vulnerability arises from improper evaluation of role-based access control (RBAC) when a low-privileged user attempts to access the Guest OS meant for administrative accounts. If exploited, an attacker could gain unauthorized access to the Guest OS with root user privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2019-12648

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 9.9, indicating a critical severity level with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. However, there have been no known public exploits or malicious activities related to this vulnerability.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-12648

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows an authorized attacker to gain unauthorized access to the Guest OS on affected devices due to incorrect RBAC evaluation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco IOS 15.7(3)M
Vendor: Cisco
Version: Unspecified

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker needs to authenticate to the Guest OS using the credentials of a low-privileged user. Successful exploitation grants unauthorized access to the Guest OS with root user privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-12648 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-provided patches or updates promptly to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any signs of unauthorized access or exploitation attempts.
Restrict access to vulnerable systems and ensure proper authentication mechanisms are in place.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and firmware to address security vulnerabilities.
Conduct security training for users to raise awareness about social engineering tactics and phishing attempts.

Patching and Updates

Cisco may release security advisories or patches to address CVE-2019-12648. Stay informed about updates from the vendor and apply them as soon as they are available.