CVE-2022-20823 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability in the OSPF version 3 (OSPFv3) feature of Cisco NX-OS Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on an affected device.

Understanding CVE-2022-20823

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in the OSPFv3 feature of Cisco NX-OS Software that could be exploited by a remote attacker to trigger a DoS condition.

What is CVE-2022-20823?

The vulnerability in the OSPFv3 feature of Cisco NX-OS Software arises from incomplete input validation of specific OSPFv3 packets, enabling an attacker to send a malicious OSPFv3 link-state advertisement (LSA) to crash the OSPFv3 process on the device multiple times, causing a reload and DoS.

The Impact of CVE-2022-20823

With a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.6 out of 10, this vulnerability has a high impact on availability, resulting in a DoS condition. The attack complexity is low, requiring no privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-20823

Vulnerability Description

The incomplete input validation in OSPFv3 packets allows remote attackers to crash the OSPFv3 process on affected devices, leading to multiple restarts and causing a denial of service.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Cisco NX-OS Software with the OSPFv3 feature enabled.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by establishing a full OSPFv3 neighbor state with the targeted device, then sending a malicious OSPFv3 LSA.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-20823:

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable the OSPFv3 feature if not required
Implement network segmentation to limit exposure

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update network security configurations
Stay informed about Cisco security advisories and patches

Patching and Updates

Apply the latest patches and updates provided by Cisco to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.