CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-20034NVD status: Modified

Cisco SD-WAN vManage: Use of Hard-coded Credentials

CVE-2023-20034 is a high-severity use of hard-coded credentials vulnerability in Cisco SD-WAN vManage 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 Cisco SD-WAN vManage versions: 17.2.6; 17.2.7; 17.2.8, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.79% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 57% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Sd-wan to 20.3.4 or a later version.
  2. Read the advisory on sec.cloudapps.cisco.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  3. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
CiscoCisco SD-WAN vManage17.2.6; 17.2.7; 17.2.8; 17.2.9; 17.2.10; 17.2.4; 17.2.5; 18.3.1.1; and 32 more rangesNot stated
CiscoSd-wan20.3 up to, but not including, 20.3.4; 20.6; 20.720.3.4

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
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 systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.17.5HighCNA (cisco.com)
CVSS 3.17.5HighNVD

Official description

Vulnerability in the Elasticsearch database used in the of Cisco SD-WAN vManage software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to access the Elasticsearch configuration database of an affected device with the privileges of the elasticsearch user. These vulnerability is due to the presence of a static username and password configured on the vManage. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request to a reachable vManage on port 9200. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to view the Elasticsearch database content. There are workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Use of Hard-coded Credentials

The product contains hard-coded credentials, such as a password or cryptographic key.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • For outbound authentication: store passwords, keys, and other credentials outside of the code in a strongly-protected, encrypted configuration file or database that is protected from access by all outsiders, including other local users on the same system. Properly protect the key (CWE-320). If you cannot use encryption to protect the file, then make sure that the permissions are as restrictive as possible. In Windows environments, the Encrypted File System (EFS) may provide some protection.
  • For inbound authentication: Rather than hard-code a default username and password, key, or other authentication credentials for first time logins, utilize a first login mode that requires the user to enter a unique strong password or key.
  • If the product must contain hard-coded credentials or they cannot be removed, perform access control checks and limit which entities can access the feature that requires the hard-coded credentials. For example, a feature might only be enabled through the system console instead of through a network connection.

More Use of Hard-coded Credentials vulnerabilities (CWE-798)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Cisco SD-WAN vManage

All Cisco SD-WAN vManage vulnerabilities

Recent Use of Hard-coded Credentials vulnerabilities

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