CVE-2019-1585 : What You Need to Know

Cisco Nexus 9000 Series ACI Mode Switch Software has a vulnerability in its controller authorization functionality, potentially allowing local attackers to escalate privileges. Learn about the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

Understanding CVE-2019-1585

Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Fabric Switches Application-Centric Infrastructure Mode Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

What is CVE-2019-1585?

A vulnerability in Cisco Nexus 9000 Series ACI Mode Switch Software could enable authenticated local attackers to elevate standard user privileges to root privileges on affected devices. The flaw arises from misconfigured sudoers files for the bashroot component, requiring a specially crafted user ID for exploitation.

The Impact of CVE-2019-1585

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Local
Confidentiality Impact: High
Integrity Impact: High
Availability Impact: High
Privileges Required: High
Scope: Unchanged
User Interaction: None
CVSS Base Score: 6.7 (Medium Severity)

Technical Details of CVE-2019-1585

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows local attackers to escalate privileges on Cisco Nexus 9000 Series ACI Mode Switch Software by exploiting misconfigured sudoers files for the bashroot component.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco NX-OS Software for Nexus 9000 Series Fabric Switches ACI Mode
Versions Affected: < 4.0(1h)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers need to authenticate using a specific user ID to gain temporary administrative access and elevate privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to version 4.0(1h) released by Cisco with necessary fixes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update sudoers files and user access permissions.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and promptly apply patches provided by Cisco.