CVE-2019-1913 : Security Advisory and Response

Cisco Small Business 220 Series Smart Switches Remote Code Execution Vulnerabilities

Understanding CVE-2019-1913

This CVE involves multiple vulnerabilities in the web management interface of Cisco Small Business 220 Series Smart Switches that could potentially allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with root privileges on the underlying operating system.

What is CVE-2019-1913?

The vulnerabilities in the web management interface of Cisco Small Business 220 Series Smart Switches could lead to a buffer overflow, enabling an attacker to execute arbitrary code with root privileges. These vulnerabilities stem from inadequate validation of user input and improper boundary checks during data reading into an internal buffer.

The Impact of CVE-2019-1913

The impact of this CVE is critical, with a CVSS base score of 9.8. The vulnerabilities have a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, requiring no special privileges for exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-1913

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerabilities allow an attacker to overflow a buffer, leading to the execution of arbitrary code with root privileges on the underlying operating system.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco Small Business 220 Series Smart Plus Switches
Vendor: Cisco
Versions Affected: < 1.1.4.4

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit these vulnerabilities, an attacker needs to send malicious requests to the web management interface of the affected device. The method of sending these requests (HTTP or HTTPS) depends on the switch's configuration.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the latest security patches provided by Cisco for the affected devices.
Restrict network access to the web management interface of the switches.
Monitor network traffic for any signs of malicious activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all network devices to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security advisories from Cisco and apply patches promptly to mitigate risks.