CVE-2020-3571 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in the ICMP ingress packet processing of Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software for Cisco Firepower 4110 appliances could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on an affected device.

Understanding CVE-2020-3571

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense Software that could lead to a denial of service attack on Cisco Firepower 4110 appliances.

What is CVE-2020-3571?

The vulnerability in the ICMP ingress packet processing of Cisco Firepower Threat Defense Software allows remote attackers to trigger a DoS condition by sending crafted ICMP packets.

The Impact of CVE-2020-3571

CVSS Base Score: 8.6 (High)
Attack Vector: Network
Availability Impact: High
Successful exploitation could lead to memory exhaustion and unexpected device reloads.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-3571

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Incomplete input validation in ICMP packet processing
Attackers can exploit by sending a high volume of crafted ICMP packets

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco Firepower Threat Defense Software
Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers send a high number of crafted ICMP or ICMPv6 packets to the affected device

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-3571 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-provided patches or updates
Implement network-level controls to limit ICMP traffic
Monitor network traffic for signs of ICMP flooding

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and firmware
Conduct security training to educate users on recognizing and reporting suspicious activities

Patching and Updates

Cisco has likely released patches or updates to address this vulnerability