CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2024-20436NVD status: Analyzed

Cisco IOS XE Software: NULL Pointer Dereference

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2024-20436 is a high-severity NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software 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 IOS XE Software versions: 3.9.1S; 3.9.2S; 3.9.0aS, 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 0.86% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 59% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of Cisco IOS XE Software you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  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 IOS XE Software3.9.1S; 3.9.2S; 3.9.0aS; 3.10.0S; 3.10.1S; 3.10.2S; 3.10.3S; 3.10.4S; and 32 more rangesNot stated
Ciscoios_xe3.9.1s; 3.9.2s; 3.9.0as; 3.10.0s; 3.10.1s; 3.10.2s; 3.10.3s; 3.10.4s; and 32 more rangesNot 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
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
NoneNo data is disclosed.
Integrity
NoneNothing can be modified.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

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

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.18.6HighCNA (cisco.com)
CVSS 3.17.5HighNVD

Official description

A vulnerability in the HTTP Server feature of Cisco IOS XE Software when the Telephony Service feature is enabled could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on an affected device. This vulnerability is due to a null pointer dereference when accessing specific URLs. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTP traffic to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause the affected device to reload, causing a DoS condition on the affected device.

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

The underlying weakness: NULL Pointer Dereference

The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • For any pointers that could have been modified or provided from a function that can return NULL, check the pointer for NULL before use. When working with a multithreaded or otherwise asynchronous environment, ensure that proper locking APIs are used to lock before the check, and unlock when it has finished.
  • Select a programming language that is not susceptible to these issues.
  • Check the results of all functions that return a value and verify that the value is non-null before acting upon it.

More NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerabilities (CWE-476)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Cisco IOS XE Software

All Cisco IOS XE Software vulnerabilities

Recent NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerabilities

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