CVE-2023-20083 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE record pertains to a vulnerability identified in the Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software. The vulnerability could potentially lead to a denial of service (DoS) condition, causing the affected device's CPU to spike to 100 percent, halting all traffic processing.

Understanding CVE-2023-20083

This section delves into the nature of CVE-2023-20083 and its impact on Cisco's Firepower Threat Defense Software.

What is CVE-2023-20083?

The vulnerability in question is related to ICMPv6 inspection in the Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software, specifically when configured with the Snort 2 detection engine. It could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to exploit improper error checking within the ICMPv6 header, causing the device to exhaust CPU resources and leading to a DoS scenario.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20083

If successfully exploited, this vulnerability has the potential to disrupt normal device operations by spiking the CPU to full capacity, thereby hindering traffic processing and potentially resulting in a denial of service (DoS) situation. It is crucial to address this vulnerability promptly to avoid such adverse outcomes.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20083

In this section, we explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-20083, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from improper error checking during the parsing of fields within the ICMPv6 header. By sending a crafted ICMPv6 packet through an affected device, an attacker can trigger the CPU exhaust and disrupt traffic processing, leading to a DoS condition.

Affected Systems and Versions

Various versions of Cisco Firepower Threat Defense Software are impacted by this vulnerability, ranging from 6.2.3 to 7.3.1. It is crucial for users of these versions to take immediate action to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2023-20083.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker needs to send a specially crafted ICMPv6 packet through the affected device, leveraging the improper error checking in the parsing of the packet header. This can lead to a significant increase in CPU usage and disrupt normal device operations.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section focuses on the steps that can be taken to mitigate the impact of CVE-2023-20083 and prevent potential exploitation of the vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users of the affected Cisco Firepower Threat Defense Software versions are advised to implement necessary security measures promptly. This may involve applying relevant patches or security updates provided by Cisco to address the vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

In addition to applying immediate patches, it is essential for organizations to follow robust security practices, such as regularly updating software, implementing network segmentation, and conducting thorough security assessments to proactively address vulnerabilities and enhance overall cybersecurity.

Patching and Updates

Cisco may release patches or updates to address CVE-2023-20083. Users should regularly check for security advisories from Cisco and apply recommended patches promptly to protect their systems from potential threats associated with this vulnerability.