CVE-2023-20175 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2023-20175 involves a vulnerability in a specific Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) CLI command that could potentially enable an authenticated, local attacker to execute command injection attacks on the underlying operating system, allowing them to escalate privileges to root.

Understanding CVE-2023-20175

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2023-20175 vulnerability, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-20175?

CVE-2023-20175 is a vulnerability found in a particular Cisco ISE CLI command. An attacker with valid Read-only-level privileges or higher on the affected device could exploit this flaw by submitting a crafted CLI command. Successful exploitation would enable the attacker to elevate their privileges to root.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20175

The impact of this vulnerability is significant, with a CVSS base score of 8.8 out of 10. Due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input, an attacker could potentially carry out command injection attacks on the system, leading to the escalation of privileges to root. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system are all at high risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20175

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Cisco ISE CLI command results from inadequate validation of user inputs, which can be exploited by an attacker to execute command injection attacks and gain root privileges on the system.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Cisco Identity Services Engine Software versions 2.6.0 to 3.2.0 are affected by CVE-2023-20175, with various patches leading up to version 3.2.0 showing vulnerability to the exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an authenticated, local attacker with specific privileges must submit a malicious CLI command. The lack of proper input validation allows the attacker to inject commands, potentially leading to root access.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2023-20175 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

For immediate protection against this vulnerability, it is recommended to apply the latest patches and updates provided by Cisco to address the issue promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust security measures, such as regularly monitoring and updating systems, enforcing the principle of least privilege, and conducting security audits, can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Cisco has released patches addressing CVE-2023-20175 for the affected versions of the Cisco Identity Services Engine Software. It is crucial for organizations to apply these patches as soon as possible to mitigate the risk posed by this vulnerability.