CVE-2021-34746 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2021-34746, a critical vulnerability in Cisco Enterprise NFV Infrastructure Software allowing hackers to bypass authentication and gain administrator access. Find mitigation steps and security practices here.
A vulnerability in the TACACS+ authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) feature of Cisco Enterprise NFV Infrastructure Software (NFVIS) allows an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass authentication and log in as an administrator. This vulnerability results from incomplete validation of user input passed to an authentication script, enabling attackers to inject parameters into an authentication request and gain unauthorized access.
Understanding CVE-2021-34746
This section provides insights into the nature and impact of CVE-2021-34746.
What is CVE-2021-34746?
CVE-2021-34746 is a critical vulnerability in Cisco Enterprise NFV Infrastructure Software that enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and log in as administrators remotely.
The Impact of CVE-2021-34746
The vulnerability's high base severity (CVSS score of 9.8) poses a significant risk, allowing attackers to achieve confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts without requiring any privileges.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-34746
This section outlines the vulnerability description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in TACACS+ AAA feature results from inadequate validation of user input, permitting unauthorized injection of parameters, bypassing authentication protocols.
Affected Systems and Versions
Affected systems include Cisco Enterprise NFV Infrastructure Software, with all versions susceptible to this authentication bypass vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers exploit the vulnerability by injecting malicious parameters into authentication requests, circumventing the authentication process and gaining administrator access.
Mitigation and Prevention
Discover essential steps to mitigate the impact of CVE-2021-34746 and bolster your cybersecurity defenses.
Immediate Steps to Take
Immediately apply vendor-recommended security patches and updates to address the vulnerability and prevent unauthorized access.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implement robust authentication mechanisms, access controls, and security protocols to safeguard against similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Patching and Updates
Regularly monitor security advisories and apply software updates, including security patches, to ensure the ongoing protection of your network infrastructure.