Cisco Identity Services Engine Software: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command
CVE-2024-20417 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command vulnerability in Cisco Identity Services Engine Software from Cisco, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.1 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 Identity Services Engine Software versions: 2.7.0; 2.7.0 p1; 2.7.0 p2, 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 0.5% 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 identity_services_engine_software to 3.1_p10 or 3.2_p7 or 3.3_p4, 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 Identity Services Engine Software | 2.7.0; 2.7.0 p1; 2.7.0 p2; 3.0.0; 3.0.0 p1; 2.7.0 p3; 3.0.0 p2; 2.7.0 p4; and 32 more ranges | Not stated |
| Cisco | identity_services_engine_software | 3.0_p8 and earlier; 3.1 up to, but not including, 3.1_p10; 3.2 up to, but not including, 3.2_p7; 3.3 up to, but not including, 3.3_p4 | 3.1_p10, 3.2_p7, 3.3_p4 |
| Cisco | Identity Services Engine | 3.1 and earlier; 3.1.0; 3.2.0; 3.3.0 | 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
- 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
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 6.5 | Medium | CNA (cisco.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.1 | High | NVD |
Official description
Multiple vulnerabilities in the REST API of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct blind SQL injection attacks. These vulnerabilities are due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input in REST API calls. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by sending crafted input to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to view or modify data on the affected device.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command
The product constructs all or part of an SQL command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended SQL command when it is sent to a downstream component. Without sufficient removal or quoting of SQL syntax in user-controllable inputs, the generated SQL query can cause those inputs to be interpreted as SQL instead of ordinary user data.
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, consider using persistence layers such as Hibernate or Enterprise Java Beans, which can provide significant protection against SQL injection if used properly.
- For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
- When the set of acceptable objects, such as filenames or URLs, is limited or known, create a mapping from a set of fixed input values (such as numeric IDs) to the actual filenames or URLs, and reject all other inputs.
More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command vulnerabilities (CWE-89)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
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 Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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