Description
A vulnerability in the SSH subsystem of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute operating system commands as root. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by submitting crafted input when executing remote CLI commands over SSH. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute commands on the underlying operating system with root-level privileges. An attacker with limited user privileges could use this vulnerability to gain complete control over the system.
EPSS Score:
0%
Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2024-18044
1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation
The vulnerability in the SSH subsystem of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software allows an authenticated, remote attacker to execute operating system commands as root. This vulnerability arises from insufficient validation of user input, enabling an attacker to submit crafted input when executing remote CLI commands over SSH.
Severity Evaluation:
- Base Score: 9.9 (CVSS:3.1)
- Base Score Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
The high base score indicates a critical vulnerability. The attack vector (AV:N) is network-based, requiring low complexity (AC:L) and low privileges (PR:L) to exploit. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H), and the scope change (S:C) indicates that the vulnerability affects components beyond the initial security scope.
2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods
Attack Vectors:
- Remote Authenticated Attack: An attacker with limited user privileges can exploit this vulnerability by submitting crafted input through SSH.
- Privilege Escalation: Once authenticated, the attacker can escalate privileges to root, gaining complete control over the system.
Exploitation Methods:
- Crafted Input Submission: The attacker submits specially crafted input through SSH to exploit the insufficient validation.
- Command Execution: The attacker executes arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with root privileges.
3. Affected Systems and Software Versions
The vulnerability affects multiple versions of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software, including but not limited to:
- 9.17.1.30
- 9.17.1.7
- 9.17.1
- 9.19.1.5
- 9.17.1.9
- 9.18.3
- 9.18.2.8
- 9.18.1
- 9.18.3.39
- 9.18.2
- 9.18.2.5
- 9.19.1.12
- 9.18.3.56
- 9.18.1.3
- 9.18.3.55
- 9.18.2.7
- 9.17.1.13
- 9.17.1.10
- 9.19.1.9
- 9.18.3.53
- 9.18.3.46
- 9.17.1.20
- 9.19.1
- 9.17.1.33
- 9.17.1.11
- 9.19.1.18
- 9.17.1.15
4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies
Immediate Actions:
- Patch Management: Apply the latest security patches provided by Cisco for the affected software versions.
- Access Control: Restrict SSH access to trusted users and networks.
- Monitoring: Implement continuous monitoring for suspicious activities on the SSH subsystem.
Long-Term Strategies:
- Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments.
- User Training: Educate users on the importance of strong passwords and secure authentication practices.
- Network Segmentation: Segment the network to limit the impact of potential breaches.
5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape
The vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations using Cisco ASA Software, particularly those in critical infrastructure sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government. The potential for remote command execution with root privileges can lead to data breaches, service disruptions, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. This underscores the need for robust cybersecurity measures and timely patch management across the European Union.
6. Technical Details for Security Professionals
Technical Overview:
- Vulnerability Type: Remote Code Execution (RCE)
- Affected Component: SSH subsystem of Cisco ASA Software
- Root Cause: Insufficient validation of user input
- Exploitation: Crafted input submission via SSH
Detection and Response:
- Log Analysis: Monitor SSH logs for unusual command executions and failed authentication attempts.
- Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Deploy IDS to detect and alert on suspicious SSH activities.
- Incident Response: Develop an incident response plan to quickly identify and mitigate any exploitation attempts.
References:
Aliases:
- CVE-2024-20329
- GSD-2024-20329
Assigner: Cisco
ENISA ID Product and Vendor:
- Product: Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software
- Vendor: Cisco
By addressing this vulnerability promptly and effectively, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches, thereby enhancing their overall cybersecurity posture.