CVE-2023-20013 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE was published by Cisco on August 16, 2023. It involves multiple vulnerabilities in Cisco Intersight Private Virtual Appliance that could potentially allow an attacker to execute arbitrary commands with root-level privileges.

Understanding CVE-2023-20657

Cisco Intersight Private Virtual Appliance is affected by vulnerabilities that stem from insufficient input validation when extracting uploaded software packages. An attacker with Administrator privileges on the affected device could exploit these vulnerabilities by uploading a crafted software package. Successful exploitation could lead to the execution of commands on the underlying operating system with root-level privileges.

What is CVE-2023-20657?

The CVE-2023-20657 vulnerability in Cisco Intersight Private Virtual Appliance allows authenticated, remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands using root-level privileges, provided they have Administrator privileges on the affected device.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20657

The impact of CVE-2023-20657 is significant as it could potentially lead to unauthorized execution of commands with escalated privileges on the affected system. This could result in a compromise of system integrity and confidentiality.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20657

Cisco Intersight Virtual Appliance versions from 1.0.9-113 to 1.0.9-561 are affected by this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerabilities are primarily caused by insufficient input validation during the extraction of software packages, allowing attackers to upload malicious packages and execute arbitrary commands.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Cisco Intersight Virtual Appliance versions 1.0.9-113 to 1.0.9-561 are known to be vulnerable to this exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can authenticate to an affected device and upload a specifically crafted software package to exploit the vulnerability, enabling the execution of unauthorized commands with root-level privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-20657 and implement long-term security practices to safeguard against similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable unnecessary administrator accounts and privileges.
Monitor network traffic and system logs for any suspicious activities.
Apply security patches and updates provided by Cisco to address the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and firmware to the latest versions.
Conduct security audits and assessments to identify and remediate potential vulnerabilities.
Implement strong access control measures and least privilege principles to limit user permissions.

Patching and Updates

Cisco has released security advisories addressing the vulnerabilities in Cisco Intersight Virtual Appliance. Organizations using affected versions are advised to apply the necessary patches and updates to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-20657.