CVE-2019-1586 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller Recoverable Encryption Key Vulnerability is a security flaw in Cisco APIC software that allows unauthorized access to encryption keys, potentially leading to data decryption and exposure of sensitive information.

Understanding CVE-2019-1586

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Cisco's APIC software that could be exploited by an unauthorized individual with physical access to the device.

What is CVE-2019-1586?

The vulnerability stems from the insecure removal of unencrypted keys stored on local partitions within the device's hard drive. Exploiting this flaw involves accessing affected partitions to retrieve encryption keys, enabling decryption of sensitive data on the device.

The Impact of CVE-2019-1586

CVSS Base Score: 4.6 (Medium Severity)
Confidentiality Impact: High
Unauthorized individuals can potentially access and decrypt sensitive information on the affected device.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-1586

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to retrieve encryption keys from local partitions on the device's hard drive, leading to potential data decryption and exposure of confidential information.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC)
Versions: Less than 4.2(0.33c)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Physical
Privileges Required: None
The attacker needs physical access to the device to exploit the vulnerability.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-1586 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement access controls to restrict physical access to devices.
Regularly monitor and audit access to sensitive data.

Long-Term Security Practices

Encrypt sensitive data at rest to mitigate the impact of potential data breaches.
Train employees on secure data handling practices to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Cisco to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.