CVE-2023-20021 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE involves multiple vulnerabilities in specific Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) CLI commands that could allow an authenticated, local attacker to perform command injection attacks on the underlying operating system and elevate privileges to root.

Understanding CVE-2023-20021

This section will delve into the details of the CVE-2023-20021 vulnerability and its impact, technical aspects, as well as mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-20021?

The CVE-2023-20021 vulnerability pertains to the Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) software, where certain CLI commands can be manipulated by an authenticated local attacker to inject commands on the operating system, ultimately allowing them to escalate their privileges to root level. The vulnerabilities arise due to inadequate validation of user-supplied input, making it possible for an attacker to execute specially crafted CLI commands.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20021

These vulnerabilities have a medium-severity base score of 6 out of 10. A successful exploitation could lead to substantial consequences, including compromising the confidentiality and integrity of the affected systems. It is crucial to address these vulnerabilities promptly to prevent any potential unauthorized escalation of privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20021

In this section, we will explore the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism associated with CVE-2023-20021.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerabilities in specific Cisco ISE CLI commands allow an attacker with valid Administrator privileges to execute command injection attacks on the underlying operating system. Due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input, an attacker can craft CLI commands to achieve privilege escalation to root level.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Cisco Identity Services Engine Software version is affected by these vulnerabilities. It is imperative for users of this software to take necessary actions to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2023-20021.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit these vulnerabilities, an attacker needs to have authenticated access to the affected device with valid Administrator privileges. By submitting a maliciously crafted CLI command, the attacker can execute command injection attacks and potentially elevate their privileges to root, gaining unauthorized control over the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Understanding the vulnerabilities is crucial for devising effective mitigation and prevention strategies to safeguard the impacted systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement access controls and restrict user privileges to minimize the impact of potential attacks.
Monitor and review CLI commands and inputs to detect any suspicious or malicious activities.
Stay informed about security updates and advisories from Cisco to address these vulnerabilities promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch the Cisco Identity Services Engine software to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and address any security gaps within the system.
Educate users on secure practices, such as avoiding executing untrusted CLI commands and ensuring strong authentication measures.

Patching and Updates

Cisco has released security advisories addressing the privilege escalation vulnerabilities in the Identity Services Engine software. Users are advised to apply the recommended patches and updates provided by Cisco to eliminate the risks associated with CVE-2023-20021.