CVE-2019-1776 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in Cisco NX-OS Software allows a local attacker to execute unauthorized commands on the Linux operating system, gaining root privilege.

Understanding CVE-2019-1776

This CVE involves a flaw in the Command Line Interface (CLI) of Cisco NX-OS Software, enabling an attacker with proper authentication to run unauthorized commands.

What is CVE-2019-1776?

The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of arguments within a specific CLI command, allowing a local attacker to input malicious content as the argument of the affected command.

The Impact of CVE-2019-1776

CVSS Base Score: 6.7 (Medium Severity)
Attack Vector: Local
Confidentiality Impact: High
Integrity Impact: High
Availability Impact: High
Privileges Required: High
Successful exploitation could lead to the execution of arbitrary commands on the Linux operating system with elevated privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-1776

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Cisco NX-OS Software allows a local attacker to gain root privilege by running unauthorized commands on the Linux operating system.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco NX-OS Software
Vendor: Cisco
Affected Versions: Less than 8.3(1) (unspecified)

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker needs valid administrator credentials to input malicious content as the argument of the affected command.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement the provided patch or update to fix the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any signs of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and systems.
Enforce the principle of least privilege to restrict access.
Conduct security training to educate users on identifying and reporting suspicious activities.

Patching and Updates

Apply the latest security patches and updates provided by Cisco to address the vulnerability.