CVE-2023-20230 : What You Need to Know

This CVE record, published by Cisco on August 23, 2023, identifies a vulnerability in the restricted security domain implementation of Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC). The vulnerability could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to read, modify, or delete non-tenant policies created by users associated with a different security domain on an affected system.

Understanding CVE-2023-20230

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-20230, explaining the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact.

What is CVE-2023-20230?

The vulnerability in question arises from improper access control when restricted security domains are used to implement multi-tenancy for policies outside the tenant boundaries in Cisco APIC. An attacker with a valid user account associated with a restricted security domain could exploit this vulnerability to manipulate policies created by users in different security domains.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20230

If successfully exploited, this vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to and manipulation of non-tenant policies within the affected system. However, exploitation is not possible for policies under tenants that the attacker has no authorization to access.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20230

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-20230, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from a lack of proper access control mechanisms in the restricted security domain implementation of Cisco APIC, allowing authenticated attackers to interfere with policies of different security domains.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following versions of Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) are affected by this vulnerability:

5.2(6e)
5.2(6g)
5.2(7f)
5.2(7g)
6.0(1g)
6.0(1j)
6.0(2h)
6.0(2j)

Exploitation Mechanism

An authenticated attacker with a valid user account associated with a restricted security domain can exploit this vulnerability to read, modify, or delete policies of users in different security domains on the same system.

Mitigation and Prevention

To secure systems against CVE-2023-20230, organizations can take immediate steps, implement long-term security practices, and apply necessary patches and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Cisco recommends users to review and apply the necessary security patches provided by the vendor promptly.
Ensure proper user access controls and permissions are in place to limit the impact of potential unauthorized access attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security advisories and updates from Cisco to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities.
Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and address weaknesses in the network infrastructure.

Patching and Updates

Organizations should apply the latest security patches released by Cisco for the affected versions of the Cisco APIC to mitigate the risk posed by this vulnerability.
Implement a robust patch management process to ensure timely application of security updates across the network infrastructure.