Cisco Data Center Network Manager: Cross-Site Request Forgery
CVE-2024-20281 is a high-severity cross-site request forgery vulnerability in Cisco Data Center Network Manager 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 unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected Cisco Data Center Network Manager versions: 12.1(1); 12.1.1e; 12.1.2e, 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 0.26% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Nexus Dashboard to 3.1(1k) or a later version.
- Update Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller to 12.2.1 or a later version.
- Update Nexus Dashboard Insights to 6.4.1 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on sec.cloudapps.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.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco | Cisco Data Center Network Manager | 12.1(1); 12.1.1e; 12.1.2e; 12.1.3b; 12.0.1a; 12.0.2d; 12.0.2f | Not stated |
| Cisco | Cisco Nexus Dashboard | 1.1(0c); 1.1(0d); 1.1(2h); 1.1(2i); 1.1(3c); 1.1(3d); 1.1(3e); 1.1(3f); and 17 more ranges | Not stated |
| Cisco | Cisco Nexus Dashboard Orchestrator | Not specified in the record | Not stated |
| Cisco | Cisco Nexus Dashboard Insights | 2.2.2.125; 2.2.2.126; 5.0.1.150; 5.0.1.154; 5.1.0.131; 5.1.0.135; 6.0.1; 6.0.2; and 6 more ranges | Not stated |
| Cisco | Nexus Dashboard | before 3.1(1k) | 3.1(1k) |
| Cisco | Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller | 12.0.0 up to, but not including, 12.2.1 | 12.2.1 |
| Cisco | Nexus Dashboard Insights | before 6.4.1 | 6.4.1 |
| Cisco | Nexus Dashboard Orchestrator | before 4.3(1.1008) | 4.3(1.1008) |
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
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- 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:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | CNA (cisco.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Nexus Dashboard and Cisco Nexus Dashboard hosted services could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to conduct a cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attack on an affected system. This vulnerability is due to insufficient CSRF protections for the web-based management interface on an affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user to click a malicious link. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to perform arbitrary actions with the privilege level of the affected user. If the affected user has administrative privileges, these actions could include modifying the system configuration and creating new privileged accounts. Note: There are internal security mechanisms in place that limit the scope of this exploit, reducing the Security Impact Rating of this vulnerability.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Cross-Site Request Forgery
The web application does not, or cannot, sufficiently verify whether a request was intentionally provided by the user who sent the request, which could have originated from an unauthorized actor.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. For example, use anti-CSRF packages such as the OWASP CSRFGuard. Another example is the ESAPI Session Management control, which includes a component for CSRF.
- Ensure that the application is free of cross-site scripting issues (CWE-79), because most CSRF defenses can be bypassed using attacker-controlled script.
- Generate a unique nonce for each form, place the nonce into the form, and verify the nonce upon receipt of the form. Be sure that the nonce is not predictable (CWE-330).
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other vulnerabilities in Cisco Data Center Network Manager
- 8.7 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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