CVE-2023-20110 : What You Need to Know

This CVE, titled "Cisco Smart Software Manager On-Prem SQL Injection Vulnerability," was published on May 18, 2023, by Cisco. The vulnerability allows an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct SQL injection attacks on an affected system through the web-based management interface of Cisco Smart Software Manager On-Prem.

Understanding CVE-2023-20110

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-20110, discussing the vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-20110?

CVE-2023-20110 is a SQL injection vulnerability present in the web-based management interface of Cisco Smart Software Manager On-Prem (SSM On-Prem). This flaw arises due to inadequate validation of user input, enabling an attacker to send crafted SQL queries, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data on the underlying database.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20110

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as medium with a CVSS base score of 6.5. If successfully exploited, an attacker could compromise the confidentiality of data stored on the affected system. It is crucial to address this vulnerability promptly to prevent potential data breaches.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20110

In this section, we will explore the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism associated with CVE-2023-20110.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Cisco Smart Software Manager On-Prem allows an authenticated, remote attacker to execute SQL injection attacks by sending malicious SQL queries through the web-based management interface. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data stored in the database.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is "Cisco Smart Software Manager On-Prem," with the specific version being "n/a." All versions of this product are susceptible to the SQL injection vulnerability disclosed in CVE-2023-20110.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker needs to authenticate to the application as a low-privileged user and then send crafted SQL queries to the affected system. By manipulating user input, the attacker can extract sensitive data from the underlying database.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2023-20110 requires immediate action and long-term security measures to reduce the risk of exploitation and data compromise.

Immediate Steps to Take

Cisco users should apply security patches or updates provided by the vendor to address the SQL injection vulnerability in Cisco Smart Software Manager On-Prem.
Implement proper input validation and sanitization techniques to mitigate the risk of SQL injection attacks.
Monitor network traffic and system logs for any suspicious activities that could indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software products to address known vulnerabilities and strengthen overall security posture.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential vulnerabilities proactively.
Educate users and IT staff about safe coding practices, data validation, and the risks associated with SQL injection attacks.

Patching and Updates

Cisco has likely released patches or updates to address CVE-2023-20110. Organizations using Cisco Smart Software Manager On-Prem should promptly apply these patches to eliminate the SQL injection vulnerability and enhance the security of their systems.