CVE-2023-20245 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2023-20245 was published on November 1, 2023, and is associated with multiple vulnerabilities found in Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software. These vulnerabilities could potentially allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to bypass configured access control lists (ACL) and permit unauthorized traffic to flow through the affected devices.

Understanding CVE-2023-20245

The CVE-2023-20245 pertains to flaws in the per-user-override feature of Cisco ASA Software and Cisco FTD Software, leading to a logic error in constructing and applying per-user-override rules. Attackers could exploit these vulnerabilities by connecting to a network through a vulnerable device with a misconfigured setup, allowing them to bypass interface ACL and gain unauthorized access to protected resources.

What is CVE-2023-20245?

The CVE-2023-20245 involves vulnerabilities in Cisco ASA Software and Cisco FTD Software, enabling attackers to circumvent access control lists and breach network security measures.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20245

If successfully exploited, CVE-2023-20245 could result in unauthorized individuals bypassing security protocols, potentially accessing sensitive resources and compromising the integrity of affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20245

This vulnerability arises from a logic error in the per-user-override feature of Cisco ASA Software and Cisco FTD Software, allowing attackers to bypass configured access control lists and gain unauthorized access.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass ACLs, leading to unauthorized traffic flow through affected devices, thus compromising network security and potentially exposing critical resources.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected products include Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software versions ranging from 9.8.3.14 to 9.19.1.9 and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software versions from 6.2.3.3 to 7.3.1.1.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability involves connecting to a network through a misconfigured device, taking advantage of the logic error in the per-user-override feature to bypass access control lists and gain unauthorized access.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-20245 and enhance system security, users and administrators should take immediate action to mitigate the risks posed by this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Cisco recommends reviewing and updating device configurations to prevent exploitation of the per-user-override vulnerabilities.
Implement network monitoring and intrusion detection systems to detect any unauthorized access attempts following this exploit.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software patches and security updates provided by Cisco to address known vulnerabilities.
Conduct thorough security assessments and audits to identify and rectify potential security gaps within the network infrastructure.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely application of patches and updates released by Cisco for both Cisco ASA Software and Cisco FTD Software to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-20245.