CVE-2023-20152 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE involves multiple vulnerabilities in specific Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) CLI commands that could be exploited by an authenticated, local attacker to perform command injections, potentially leading to privilege escalation to root.

Understanding CVE-2023-20152

Cisco Identity Services Engine Command Injection Vulnerabilities affect the Cisco Identity Services Engine Software, allowing attackers with valid Administrator privileges on the affected device to execute malicious CLI commands.

What is CVE-2023-20152?

The vulnerabilities in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) CLI commands result from inadequate validation of user-supplied input. An attacker can exploit these flaws by submitting a crafted CLI command, potentially gaining elevated privileges up to root access.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20152

The impact of these vulnerabilities is rated as medium severity. If successfully exploited, an attacker could execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system and gain root privileges. This can lead to unauthorized access, data manipulation, or disruption of services.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20152

The Cisco PSIRT has not detected any public disclosures or malicious exploitation related to these vulnerabilities at the time of the advisory.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerabilities stem from insufficient validation of user input in specific Cisco ISE CLI commands, opening the door for command injection attacks and privilege escalation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: Cisco
Product: Cisco Identity Services Engine Software
Versions: All versions are affected

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit these vulnerabilities, an attacker needs valid Administrator privileges on the targeted device. By injecting malicious commands via crafted CLI inputs, the attacker can gain unauthorized access and escalate their privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address the Cisco Identity Services Engine Command Injection Vulnerabilities, immediate actions and long-term security practices are recommended.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply Vendor Patch: Check for security updates from Cisco and apply patches to mitigate the vulnerabilities.
Restrict Access: Limit access to the affected devices to authorized personnel only to reduce the risk of exploitation.
Monitor Activity: Implement monitoring tools to detect any suspicious or unauthorized activities on the network.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular Security Audits: Conduct routine security audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities proactively.
Employee Training: Provide comprehensive security awareness training to employees to mitigate the risk of social engineering attacks.
Network Segmentation: Implement network segregation to limit the impact of potential security breaches.

Patching and Updates

Cisco has released security advisories detailing the vulnerabilities and providing patches for mitigation. Ensure that all affected systems are promptly updated with the latest security fixes to protect against potential exploitation.