CVE-2023-24547 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This article provides details about CVE-2023-24547, including its impact, technical description, affected systems, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2023-24547

CVE-2023-24547 is a vulnerability that affects platforms running Arista MOS. It involves the configuration of a BGP password, which, when set in plain text, can be logged and exposed, potentially leading to privilege abuse by authenticated users.

What is CVE-2023-24547?

On affected platforms running Arista MOS, configuring a BGP password in plain text can result in the password being logged in clear text. This can be accessed in local logs, remote logging servers, and even within the device's running configuration, exposing the system to privilege abuse.

The Impact of CVE-2023-24547

The impact of CVE-2023-24547 is categorized under CAPEC-122 - Privilege Abuse. This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access and potential misuse of privileged information due to the exposure of BGP passwords in clear text.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-24547

The vulnerability arises when a BGP password is configured in plain text, as shown in the example configuration provided by Arista. If the BGP password is not configured, the system is not vulnerable to this issue.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows authenticated users to view BGP passwords in clear text in local logs, remote logging servers, and the device's running configuration.

Affected Systems and Versions

This vulnerability impacts Arista MOS versions up to 0.39.4 with specific configurations where BGP passwords are set in plain text.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation involves accessing the device's configuration with the BGP password set in plain text, leading to potential privilege abuse by authenticated users.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-24547, immediate actions and long-term security practices are recommended to protect affected systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

The recommended resolution is to upgrade to a remediated software version at the earliest convenience. Arista specifies the fixed releases that address the vulnerability and provides guidance on upgrading and securing BGP passwords.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, it is advisable to ensure that sensitive information, such as BGP passwords, is not stored in plain text to prevent exposure and potential exploitation.

Patching and Updates

Arista has released remediated software versions that fix CVE-2023-24547. Customers are advised to upgrade to the latest releases within the specified release trains to mitigate the vulnerability effectively.

In addition to upgrading, rotating BGP passwords and applying available hotfixes for specific release trains can further enhance security and prevent unauthorized access.

Remember, maintaining up-to-date software versions and following best security practices are crucial to safeguarding systems from potential vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-24547.