CVE-2021-1587 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Learn about CVE-2021-1587, a vulnerability in Cisco NX-OS Software enabling a DoS attack. Understand the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.
A vulnerability in the VXLAN Operation, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) feature of Cisco NX-OS Software, known as NGOAM, could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to improper handling of specific packets with a Transparent Interconnection of Lots of Links (TRILL) OAM EtherType, potentially leading to system instability and device reload.
Understanding CVE-2021-1587
This section dives into the details of the vulnerability and its implications.
What is CVE-2021-1587?
The CVE-2021-1587 vulnerability affects Cisco NX-OS Software's VXLAN OAM feature, enabling a remote attacker to trigger a DoS attack by exploiting packet vulnerabilities.
The Impact of CVE-2021-1587
The vulnerability's impact includes high CPU usage, excessive resource consumption, and potential control plane instability, ultimately causing affected devices to reload unexpectedly.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-1587
Explore the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-1587 vulnerability below.
Vulnerability Description
The flaw arises from incorrect packet handling of TRILL OAM EtherType packets, allowing attackers to exploit this weakness and disrupt device operation.
Affected Systems and Versions
The vulnerability affects Cisco NX-OS Software products without specifying a particular version, potentially impacting a wide range of devices using this software.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit CVE-2021-1587 by sending malicious packets containing the TRILL OAM EtherType to devices within a VXLAN EVPN fabric, initiating a DoS condition.
Mitigation and Prevention
Learn how to address and prevent the CVE-2021-1587 vulnerability effectively.
Immediate Steps to Take
To mitigate the risk, ensure the NGOAM feature is disabled by default and monitor Cisco's security advisories for updates and patches.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implement network segmentation, access controls, and regular security assessments to enhance your overall security posture.
Patching and Updates
Apply security patches provided by Cisco promptly to address the vulnerability and protect your network from potential exploitation.