Cisco Identity Services Engine Software: Improper Authentication
CVE-2022-20733 is a critical-severity improper authentication vulnerability in Cisco Identity Services Engine Software from Cisco, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.14% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 67% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of Cisco Identity Services Engine Software you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- 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 | Cisco Identity Services Engine Software | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Cisco | Identity Services Engine | 3.1 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. 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
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 5.3 | Medium | CNA (cisco.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
| CVSS 2.0 | 5.0 | Medium | NVD |
Official description
A vulnerability in the login page of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to log in without credentials and access all roles without any restrictions. This vulnerability is due to exposed sensitive Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) metadata. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by using the exposed SAML metadata to bypass authentication to the user portal. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to access all roles without any restrictions.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Cisco Identity Services Engine Software
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.