Cisco IOS, IOS XR, and IOS XE IKEv1 Information Disclosure
CVE-2016-6415 is a high-severity exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor vulnerability in iOS from Cisco, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected iOS versions: 12.2 through 12.4; 15.0 through 15.6. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on May 19, 2023, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.
Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.
What to do
- Update iOS Xr to 5.3.0 or a later version.
- CISA's required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- Read the advisory on tools.cisco.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco | iOS | 12.2 through 12.4; 15.0 through 15.6 | Not stated |
| Cisco | iOS Xe | 3.18s and earlier | Not stated |
| Cisco | iOS Xr | 4.3.0 through 4.3.4; 5.0.0 up to, but not including, 5.3.0 | 5.3.0 |
Version data comes from NVD's product matching. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | CISA (ADP) |
| CVSS 2.0 | 5.0 | Medium | NVD |
Official description
The server IKEv1 implementation in Cisco IOS 12.2 through 12.4 and 15.0 through 15.6, IOS XE through 3.18S, IOS XR 4.3.x and 5.0.x through 5.2.x, and PIX before 7.0 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information from device memory via a Security Association (SA) negotiation request, aka Bug IDs CSCvb29204 and CSCvb36055 or BENIGNCERTAIN.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor
The product exposes sensitive information to an actor that is not explicitly authorized to have access to that information.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Compartmentalize the system to have safe areas where trust boundaries can be unambiguously drawn. Do not allow sensitive data to go outside of the trust boundary and always be careful when interfacing with a compartment outside of the safe area. Ensure that appropriate compartmentalization is built into the system design, and the compartmentalization allows for and reinforces privilege separation functionality. Architects and designers should rely on the principle of least privilege to decide the appropriate time to use privileges and the time to drop privileges.
More Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor vulnerabilities (CWE-200)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
- Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- securityfocus.com/bid/93003Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- securitytracker.com/id/1036841Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-6415US Government Resource
Other vulnerabilities in iOS
- 8.6 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 9.0 Critical severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
Recent Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor vulnerabilities
- 5.3 Medium severity
SAP NetWeaver Information Disclosure Exploited
- 5.0 Medium severity
- 10.0 High severity
Adobe Flash Player ASLR Bypass Exploited
- 8.8 High severity
Adobe Acrobat and Reader Unspecified Exploited
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