CVE-2021-40118 : Security Advisory and Response
Know more about CVE-2021-40118, a vulnerability in Cisco ASA Software and Firepower Threat Defense Software that could lead to a denial of service attack. Learn about its impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.
A vulnerability in Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software could lead to a denial of service attack.
Understanding CVE-2021-40118
This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Cisco ASA Software and FTD Software that could be exploited by a remote attacker to trigger a DoS condition.
What is CVE-2021-40118?
The vulnerability arises from improper input validation in parsing HTTPS requests, enabling a remote unauthenticated attacker to initiate a DoS attack by sending a malicious request to the affected device.
The Impact of CVE-2021-40118
If successfully exploited, the vulnerability could cause the affected device to reload, resulting in a denial of service condition.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-40118
This section provides in-depth technical details of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in the web services interface of Cisco ASA Software and FTD Software allows remote attackers to trigger a DoS attack due to improper input validation in HTTPS request parsing.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Affected Product: Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software
- Vendor: Cisco
- Affected Version: n/a
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by sending a malicious HTTPS request to the affected device, potentially leading to a DoS condition.
Mitigation and Prevention
For CVE-2021-40118, the following mitigation steps and long-term security practices are recommended:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply necessary security patches provided by Cisco.
- Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
- Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch all software and firmware.
- Conduct security training for employees to recognize and report potential security threats.
- Employ intrusion detection and prevention systems.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Cisco to apply patches promptly.