CVE-2018-0274 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability in the command-line interface parser of Cisco Network Services Orchestrator (NSO) allows an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary shell commands with root user privileges. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation, enabling the injection of malicious arguments into vulnerable commands.

Understanding CVE-2018-0274

This CVE involves a security vulnerability in Cisco Network Services Orchestrator (NSO) that could lead to unauthorized execution of commands with elevated privileges.

What is CVE-2018-0274?

The vulnerability in the CLI parser of Cisco NSO permits a remote attacker to run arbitrary shell commands as the root user by exploiting insufficient input validation. By injecting malicious arguments into vulnerable commands, the attacker can execute unauthorized commands with root privileges on the affected system.

The Impact of CVE-2018-0274

Exploitation of this vulnerability could result in an attacker executing unrestricted commands with root user privileges on the compromised system. The potential consequences include unauthorized access, data theft, and system manipulation.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-0274

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in the command-line interface parser of Cisco NSO allows an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary shell commands with root user privileges due to inadequate input validation.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects the following versions of Cisco Network Services Orchestrator (NSO): 4.1 through 4.1.6.0, 4.2 through 4.2.4.0, 4.3 through 4.3.3.0, 4.4 through 4.4.2.0.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious arguments into vulnerable commands, enabling them to execute unauthorized commands with root privileges on the impacted system.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-0274 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-supplied patches or updates promptly to address the vulnerability.
Implement strong authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation of the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and systems to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
Conduct security training for personnel to raise awareness of best practices and potential threats.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential security breaches.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all affected systems are updated with the latest patches provided by Cisco to remediate the vulnerability.