CVE-2019-12698 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability in Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service by overloading the device's CPU.

Understanding CVE-2019-12698

This CVE involves a flaw in the WebVPN function of Cisco ASA Software and FTD Software, leading to a CPU denial of service vulnerability.

What is CVE-2019-12698?

The vulnerability enables unauthenticated remote attackers to increase CPU usage on affected devices by sending multiple requests for loading WebVPN HTTP pages, causing a denial of service situation.

The Impact of CVE-2019-12698

Attackers can overload the device's CPU, leading to a denial of service condition
Traffic flow through the device may be delayed

Technical Details of CVE-2019-12698

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw is in the WebVPN function of Cisco ASA Software and FTD Software
Attackers can exploit it by sending multiple requests for loading WebVPN HTTP pages

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software
Vendor: Cisco
Versions: Unspecified

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Base Score: 5.3 (Medium)
Privileges Required: None

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2019-12698 with the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor patches and updates promptly
Monitor CPU usage for unusual spikes

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks
Regularly review and update security configurations
Conduct security training for staff to recognize and report suspicious activities

Patching and Updates

Check for and apply security advisories from Cisco