CVE-2019-12665 : What You Need to Know

Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software HTTP Client Information Disclosure Vulnerability

Understanding CVE-2019-12665

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the HTTP client feature of Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software that could allow a remote attacker to access and modify data meant to be transmitted securely.

What is CVE-2019-12665?

The vulnerability in Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software allows a remote attacker to intercept and alter data transmitted through an encrypted channel by exploiting a flaw in the system's handling of TCP port information.

The Impact of CVE-2019-12665

The vulnerability poses a medium severity risk, with a CVSS base score of 4.8. It could lead to unauthorized access and manipulation of sensitive data without authentication.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-12665

The following are the technical details of this CVE:

Vulnerability Description

The HTTP client feature in Cisco IOS and IOS XE Software fails to consider TCP port information when matching incoming requests to established persistent HTTP connections, enabling a man-in-the-middle attack.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco IOS 12.2(15)B
Vendor: Cisco
Version: Unspecified

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker could position themselves as a man-in-the-middle intermediary, intercepting and manipulating data that should be securely transmitted.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent exploitation of CVE-2019-12665:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-provided patches or updates promptly.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.
Implement encryption and secure communication protocols.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software and systems.
Conduct security audits and assessments to identify vulnerabilities.
Educate users and employees on secure practices.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the affected systems are updated with the latest patches and security fixes to mitigate the risk of exploitation.