CVE-2019-1656 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in the Command Line Interface (CLI) of Cisco Enterprise NFV Infrastructure Software (NFVIS) could allow an authenticated and local attacker to gain unauthorized access to the shell of the underlying Linux operating system on the affected device. This flaw is a result of inadequate input validation in the software.

Understanding CVE-2019-1656

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Cisco Enterprise NFV Infrastructure Software that could lead to unauthorized access to the Linux operating system shell on the affected device.

What is CVE-2019-1656?

The flaw in the CLI of Cisco NFVIS could be exploited by a local attacker to access the Linux OS shell on the affected device, potentially compromising sensitive information.

The Impact of CVE-2019-1656

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could grant an attacker shell access to the Linux OS on the affected device, using a non-root user account. This could lead to unauthorized access to system configuration files containing sensitive data.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-1656

This section provides technical details of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Cisco NFVIS stems from inadequate input validation in the software, allowing an authenticated local attacker to access the Linux OS shell on the affected device.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco Enterprise NFV Infrastructure Software
Vendor: Cisco
Versions affected: Not applicable (n/a)

Exploitation Mechanism

The attacker needs to send specifically crafted commands to the affected device to exploit the vulnerability.
This flaw impacts console connections from CIMC and is unrelated to remote connections like telnet or SSH.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2019-1656 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Cisco recommends applying the necessary updates and patches provided by the vendor.
Monitor for any unauthorized access or unusual activities on the affected devices.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update security configurations on the affected devices.
Implement strong access controls and authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the latest security updates and patches from Cisco are applied promptly to mitigate the vulnerability.