CVE-2019-12700 : What You Need to Know

Cisco Firepower Management Center, FTD, and FXOS Software Pluggable Authentication Module Denial of Service Vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2019-12700

An issue in the Pluggable Authentication Module (PAM) configuration in Cisco Firepower Management Center (FMC) Software, Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software, and FXOS Software could lead to a denial of service (DoS) attack.

What is CVE-2019-12700?

The vulnerability arises from inadequate resource management within the user session context, allowing an authenticated remote attacker to trigger a DoS scenario by executing multiple concurrent SSH logins.

The Impact of CVE-2019-12700

CVSS Base Score: 7.7 (High Severity)
Attack Vector: Network
Availability Impact: High
Successful exploitation could exhaust system resources, forcing a device restart and causing a DoS situation.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-12700

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in PAM configuration permits attackers to deplete system resources by initiating multiple SSH logins, leading to a DoS condition.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Products: Cisco Firepower Management Center
Vendor: Cisco
Affected Versions: Unspecified

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with valid user credentials can establish connections and execute multiple SSH logins to exhaust system resources and prompt device restart.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-provided patches promptly.
Monitor system logs for unusual SSH login activities.
Restrict SSH access to trusted users only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and firmware.
Implement strong password policies and multi-factor authentication.

Patching and Updates

Refer to the vendor's security advisory for patch availability and installation instructions.