CVE-2019-1603 : Security Advisory and Response

A weakness has been discovered in the command-line interface (CLI) of Cisco NX-OS Software that could potentially enable a local attacker with authenticated access to elevate their privileges from a lower level to that of an administrator. This vulnerability arises from inadequate enforcement of authorization protocols. The affected devices include Nexus 3000 Series Switches, Nexus 3500 Platform Switches, Nexus 3600 Platform Switches, Nexus 9000 Series Switches-Standalone, and Nexus 9500 R-Series Line Cards and Fabric Modules.

Understanding CVE-2019-1603

This CVE identifies a privilege escalation vulnerability in Cisco NX-OS Software.

What is CVE-2019-1603?

The vulnerability allows a local attacker with authenticated access to escalate their privileges to that of an administrator by exploiting insufficient authorization enforcement in the CLI of Cisco NX-OS Software.

The Impact of CVE-2019-1603

CVSS Base Score: 7.8 (High Severity)
Attack Vector: Local
Attack Complexity: Low
Privileges Required: Low
Confidentiality Impact: High
Integrity Impact: High
Availability Impact: High

Technical Details of CVE-2019-1603

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Cisco NX-OS Software allows an attacker to execute specific commands to gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to system configuration modifications.

Affected Systems and Versions

The following Cisco products and versions are affected:

Nexus 3000 Series Switches: less than 7.0(3)I7(4)
Nexus 3500 Platform Switches: less than 7.0(3)I7(4)
Nexus 3600 Platform Switches: less than 7.0(3)F3(5)
Nexus 9000 Series Switches-Standalone: less than 7.0(3)I7(4)
Nexus 9500 R-Series Line Cards and Fabric Modules: less than 7.0(3)F3(5)

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker needs authenticated access to the targeted device and must execute specific commands to gain elevated privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2019-1603 with the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-supplied patches promptly.
Monitor network traffic for any signs of malicious activity.
Restrict access to vulnerable systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and firmware.
Implement the principle of least privilege to limit user access.
Conduct security training and awareness programs for employees.

Patching and Updates

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