CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-20223NVD status: Modified

Cisco Digital Network Architecture Center (DNA…: Improper Access Control

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2023-20223 is a high-severity improper access control vulnerability in Cisco Digital Network Architecture Center (DNA Center) from Cisco, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Cisco Digital Network Architecture Center (DNA Center) versions: 2.2.1.3; 2.2.3.4; 2.2.3.3, 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 0.64% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 51% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Dna Center to 2.3.5.4 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 Digital Network Architecture Center (DNA Center)2.2.1.3; 2.2.3.4; 2.2.3.3; 2.2.3.5; 2.2.3.6; 2.3.3.4; 2.3.3.5; 2.3.3.6; and 1 more rangesNot stated
CiscoDna Centerbefore 2.3.5.42.3.5.4

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
LowLimited modification of data is possible.
Availability
NoneAvailability is not affected.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.18.6HighCNA (cisco.com)
CVSS 3.18.2HighNVD

Official description

A vulnerability in Cisco DNA Center could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to read and modify data in a repository that belongs to an internal service on an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient access control enforcement on API requests. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted API request to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to read and modify data that is handled by an internal service on the affected device.

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

The underlying weakness: Improper Access Control

The product does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorized actor.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
  • 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 Improper Access Control vulnerabilities (CWE-284)

Timeline

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

References

Other vulnerabilities in Cisco Digital Network Architecture Center (DNA Center)

All Cisco Digital Network Architecture Center (DNA Center) vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Access Control vulnerabilities

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