CVE-2020-3403 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco IOS XE Software allows an authenticated, local attacker to inject commands with root privileges upon device reboot.

Understanding CVE-2020-3403

This CVE involves a command injection vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software, potentially leading to unauthorized command execution.

What is CVE-2020-3403?

The vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software enables an authenticated attacker to inject commands with root privileges during device restart, exploiting insufficient protection of values passed to a startup script.

The Impact of CVE-2020-3403

The vulnerability poses a medium-severity risk with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-3403

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allows an attacker to write values to a file, executing commands with root privileges upon each device restart.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco IOS XE Software
Vendor: Cisco
Affected Version: Not Applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: High
User Interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
Vector String: CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-3403 is crucial for maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor patches promptly
Restrict privileged EXEC permissions
Monitor system logs for suspicious activities

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular security training for staff
Implement least privilege access controls
Conduct periodic security assessments

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories
Implement timely software updates and security patches