CVE-2019-12658 : Security Advisory and Response

Cisco IOS XE Software Filesystem Exhaustion Denial of Service Vulnerability

Understanding CVE-2019-12658

This CVE involves a flaw in Cisco IOS XE Software that allows an attacker to exhaust filesystem resources, leading to a denial of service (DoS) situation.

What is CVE-2019-12658?

The vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software enables an attacker to deplete filesystem resources on a targeted device without authentication, causing a DoS scenario. The flaw results from inadequate management of filesystem resources.

The Impact of CVE-2019-12658

The vulnerability can be exploited to crash and restart the affected device, disrupting network traffic and potentially leading to extended DoS situations if continuously abused.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-12658

The technical aspects of this CVE are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allows attackers to exhaust filesystem resources by manipulating log files, leading to device crashes and restarts.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco IOS XE Software 16.1.1
Vendor: Cisco
Version: Unspecified

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by generating messages to specific log files, consuming all available filesystem space and causing the device to crash.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent exploitation of CVE-2019-12658:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-provided patches or updates promptly.
Monitor filesystem space usage to detect abnormal behavior.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential DoS attacks.
Regularly review and update security configurations to mitigate similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security advisories from Cisco and apply recommended patches to mitigate the vulnerability.