CVE-2019-1694 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A security weakness in the TCP processing engine of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software could lead to a denial of service (DoS) situation. This vulnerability, assigned CVE-2019-1694, was published on May 1, 2019.

Understanding CVE-2019-1694

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Cisco ASA and FTD Software that could be exploited by remote attackers, potentially causing affected devices to restart and resulting in a DoS scenario.

What is CVE-2019-1694?

The vulnerability in Cisco ASA and FTD Software stems from incorrect handling of TCP traffic, allowing unauthorized remote attackers to exploit the flaw and disrupt device operations.

The Impact of CVE-2019-1694

The vulnerability could lead to a denial of service (DoS) situation, causing affected devices to restart and temporarily disrupt traffic flow until the device reboots.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-1694

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Cisco ASA and FTD Software arises from improper TCP traffic handling, enabling attackers to exploit the flaw and disrupt device operations.

Affected Systems and Versions

Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software versions less than 9.4.4.34, 9.6.4.25, 9.8.4, 9.9.2.50, and 9.10.1.17 are affected.
Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software versions less than 6.2.3.12 and 6.3.0.3 are affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, attackers need to send a specific sequence of packets at a rapid rate through the affected device, triggering a DoS situation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-1694 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-released patches promptly to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Cisco has released patches to address the vulnerability in affected versions of ASA and FTD Software. Ensure timely application of these patches to secure the systems.