CVE-2019-1846 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2019-1846, a vulnerability in Cisco IOS XR Software that could lead to a denial of service attack. Find out the impact, affected systems, exploitation details, and mitigation steps.
A weakness in the Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) implementation in Cisco IOS XR Software for Cisco ASR 9000 Series Aggregation Services Routers could lead to a denial of service (DoS) attack.
Understanding CVE-2019-1846
This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Cisco IOS XR Software that could be exploited by an unauthorized attacker to initiate a DoS situation.
What is CVE-2019-1846?
The vulnerability stems from the mishandling of specific MPLS OAM packets, allowing an attacker in close proximity to the affected device to crash the lspv_server process, leading to system instability and traffic processing issues.
The Impact of CVE-2019-1846
The vulnerability poses a high availability impact, with a CVSS base score of 7.4, indicating a significant threat to affected systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-1846
This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in Cisco IOS XR Software allows an adjacent attacker to trigger a DoS condition by sending malicious MPLS OAM packets, causing the lspv_server process to crash.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Cisco IOS XR Software
- Vendor: Cisco
- Versions: Unspecified
Exploitation Mechanism
To exploit this weakness, the attacker needs to send specific malicious MPLS OAM packets to the targeted device, resulting in a crash of the lspv_server process.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2019-1846 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply vendor-provided patches or updates promptly.
- Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
- Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Conduct regular security assessments and audits.
- Educate staff on cybersecurity best practices.
- Keep systems and software up to date with the latest security patches.
- Employ intrusion detection/prevention systems.
Patching and Updates
Regularly check for security advisories from Cisco and apply patches as soon as they are available.