Cisco ASR 5000 Series Software: Insufficiently Protected Credentials
CVE-2023-20046 is a high-severity insufficiently protected credentials vulnerability in Cisco ASR 5000 Series Software from Cisco, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected Cisco ASR 5000 Series Software versions: 21.11.0; 21.11.1; 21.11.2, 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 1.56% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 76% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Staros to 21.22.14 or 21.23.31 or 21.25.15 or 21.26.17, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on sec.cloudapps.cisco.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco | Cisco ASR 5000 Series Software | 21.11.0; 21.11.1; 21.11.2; 21.11.3; 21.11.10; 21.11.11; 21.11.12; 21.11.13; and 32 more ranges | Not stated |
| Cisco | Cisco Ultra Cloud Core - User Plane Function | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Cisco | Staros | before 21.22.14; 21.23.0 up to, but not including, 21.23.31; 21.25.0 up to, but not including, 21.25.15; 21.26.0 up to, but not including, 21.26.17; 21.27.0 up to, but not including, 21.27.6; 21.28.0 up to, but not including, 21.28.3; 21.23.n; 21.24; and 2 more ranges | 21.22.14, 21.23.31, 21.25.15, 21.26.17, 21.27.6, 21.28.3 |
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
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- 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:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | CNA (cisco.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
A vulnerability in the key-based SSH authentication feature of Cisco StarOS Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to elevate privileges on an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied credentials. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a valid low-privileged SSH key to an affected device from a host that has an IP address that is configured as the source for a high-privileged user account. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to log in to the affected device through SSH as a high-privileged user. 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: Insufficiently Protected Credentials
The product transmits or stores authentication credentials, but it uses an insecure method that is susceptible to unauthorized interception and/or retrieval.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an appropriate security mechanism to protect the credentials.
- Make appropriate use of cryptography to protect the credentials.
- Use industry standards to protect the credentials (e.g. LDAP, keystore, etc.).
More Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerabilities (CWE-522)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Cisco ASR 5000 Series Software
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Insufficiently Protected Credentials vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
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