CVE-2019-1891 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2019-1891, a vulnerability in Cisco Small Business Series Managed Switches that could lead to a denial of service attack. Find out the impact, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
Cisco Small Business Series Switches HTTP Denial of Service Vulnerability
Understanding CVE-2019-1891
This CVE involves a vulnerability in the web interface of Cisco Small Business 200, 300, and 500 Series Managed Switches that could lead to a denial of service (DoS) attack.
What is CVE-2019-1891?
The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of incoming requests to the web interface, allowing unauthenticated attackers to send harmful requests that could force the device to reload unexpectedly, causing a DoS condition.
The Impact of CVE-2019-1891
- CVSS Base Score: 7.5 (High)
- Attack Vector: Network
- Availability Impact: High
- This vulnerability could result in a DoS situation on the targeted device.
Technical Details of CVE-2019-1891
The following technical details provide insight into the vulnerability and its implications.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability lies in the web interface of Cisco Small Business Series Managed Switches, allowing attackers to trigger a DoS condition by sending malicious requests.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Affected Product: Cisco Small Business 300 Series Managed Switches
- Vendor: Cisco
- Affected Versions: Less than 1.4.10.6 (Custom version)
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attack Complexity: Low
- Privileges Required: None
- Scope: Unchanged
- User Interaction: None
- The attacker can exploit the vulnerability by sending harmful requests to the device's web interface, causing a DoS condition.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2019-1891 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
- Regularly update and patch all network devices and systems.
- Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities.
- Educate users and administrators about safe web browsing practices.
Patching and Updates
- Cisco has likely released patches to address this vulnerability. Ensure all affected devices are updated with the latest firmware to mitigate the risk of exploitation.