CVE-2021-1442 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Learn about CVE-2021-1442, a high-severity vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software that allows authenticated attackers to elevate privileges, posing a significant security risk. Find out about the impact, affected systems, exploitation, and mitigation steps.
A vulnerability in a diagnostic command for the Plug-and-Play (PnP) subsystem of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges to the level of an Administrator user on an affected device by exploiting insufficient protection of sensitive information.
Understanding CVE-2021-1442
This vulnerability affects Cisco devices running IOS XE Software, potentially enabling attackers to escalate their privileges.
What is CVE-2021-1442?
The vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software involves a diagnostic command within the Plug-and-Play subsystem that could be exploited by a local, authenticated attacker to gain elevated privileges on the device, leading to the execution of privileged commands.
The Impact of CVE-2021-1442
The impact of this vulnerability is rated as high, allowing attackers to obtain a privileged authentication token and execute crafted PnP messages on the targeted system, posing a significant security risk.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-1442
This section provides more insight into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises from insufficient protection of sensitive information in the PnP subsystem diagnostic command, enabling privilege escalation for authenticated attackers.
Affected Systems and Versions
The affected systems include devices running Cisco IOS XE Software with specific configurations related to the PnP listener.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers with low privileges can exploit the vulnerability by issuing a diagnostic CLI command when a specific PnP listener is enabled, leading to the elevation of privileges.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2021-1442, follow these mitigation strategies.
Immediate Steps to Take
Immediately update affected Cisco devices with the necessary patches provided by the vendor. Additionally, ensure that unnecessary PnP listeners are disabled to mitigate the risk.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implement a comprehensive security policy that includes regular security updates, network segmentation, and user access control to prevent unauthorized access.
Patching and Updates
Regularly check for security advisories from Cisco and apply software updates promptly to address known vulnerabilities.