CVE-2020-3168 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability in the Secure Login Enhancements capability of Cisco Nexus 1000V Switch for VMware vSphere could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition.

Understanding CVE-2020-3168

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Cisco Nexus 1000V Switch for VMware vSphere that could lead to a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2020-3168?

The vulnerability allows an attacker to make an affected Nexus 1000V Virtual Supervisor Module (VSM) inaccessible through the CLI by exploiting improper resource allocation during failed login attempts.

The Impact of CVE-2020-3168

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Availability Impact: High
Base Score: 7.5 (High Severity)
No Confidentiality or Integrity Impact
No Privileges Required
User Interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged

Technical Details of CVE-2020-3168

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper resource allocation during failed CLI login attempts with specific login parameters, leading to a DoS condition.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco NX-OS Software
Vendor: Cisco
Version: Unspecified

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by performing a high volume of login attempts, rendering the device inaccessible and requiring manual intervention to recover.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent exploitation of the vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Monitor login attempts and implement rate limiting.
Apply the latest security patches from Cisco.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update security configurations.
Conduct security training for staff to recognize and respond to potential threats.

Patching and Updates

Apply the patch provided by Cisco to address the vulnerability.