CVE-2023-20217 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE-2023-20217 is a vulnerability found in the CLI of Cisco ThousandEyes Enterprise Agent, Virtual Appliance installation type. It allows an authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges on the affected device.

Understanding CVE-2023-20217

This vulnerability arises due to insufficient input validation by the operating system CLI, enabling an attacker to execute specific commands using sudo. Successfully exploiting this vulnerability could grant the attacker the ability to view arbitrary files as root on the underlying operating system. However, the attacker must possess valid credentials to access the affected device.

What is CVE-2023-20217?

CVE-2023-20217 is a security flaw in the CLI of Cisco ThousandEyes Recorder Application that permits a local attacker to elevate their privileges on the impacted system through unauthorized commands, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20217

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as MEDIUM severity with a base CVSS score of 5.5. The potential exploitation could result in high confidentiality impacts, allowing the attacker to access critical information on the device.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20217

This section provides further insight into the specifics surrounding CVE-2023-20217.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco ThousandEyes Recorder Application arises from the lack of proper input validation by the operating system, enabling an attacker to execute commands using sudo and elevate their privileges on the device.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is Cisco ThousandEyes Recorder Application, and the specific version impacted by this vulnerability is labeled as "N/A."

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with valid credentials on the affected device can exploit this vulnerability by issuing specific commands through sudo to elevate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive files on the underlying operating system.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-20217, following proper security practices and taking immediate steps are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations should apply patches and updates provided by Cisco to address this vulnerability promptly.
Monitor system logs for any unusual behavior or unauthorized access attempts.
Restrict and monitor user permissions to limit the impact of potential privilege escalation attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement a least privilege access model to restrict users' access to only what is necessary for their roles.
Conduct regular security training for employees to raise awareness about the risks of social engineering and phishing attacks.
Employ strong password policies and consider multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems are regularly updated with the latest security patches released by Cisco to mitigate the vulnerability and reduce the likelihood of exploitation by malicious actors.