CVE-2022-20623 : Security Advisory and Response

This article provides details about the CVE-2022-20623 vulnerability affecting Cisco NX-OS Software for Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches.

Understanding CVE-2022-20623

CVE-2022-20623 is a vulnerability in the rate limiter for Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) traffic of Cisco NX-OS Software, potentially leading to denial of service (DoS) attacks.

What is CVE-2022-20623?

The vulnerability in the BFD rate limiter functionality of Cisco NX-OS Software allows an unauthenticated, remote attacker to disrupt BFD traffic on affected devices, causing route instability and dropped traffic for both IPv4 and IPv6 traffic.

The Impact of CVE-2022-20623

Exploitation of this vulnerability can result in BFD session flaps, leading to a denial of service (DoS) condition with high availability impact.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-20623

The following technical details outline the vulnerability:

Vulnerability Description

A logic error in the BFD rate limiter functionality allows attackers to craft traffic streams, causing BFD traffic disruption and route instability.

Affected Systems and Versions

Cisco NX-OS Software for Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specifically crafted stream of traffic through the device, resulting in BFD traffic disruption.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-20623, consider the following:

Immediate Steps to Take

Cisco PSIRT has not detected any public exploitation or announcements related to this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor Cisco's security advisories and apply patches promptly.

Patching and Updates

Refer to the official Cisco security advisory for detailed information and updates regarding CVE-2022-20623.