CVE-2020-3601 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco StarOS operating system for Cisco ASR 5000 Series Routers could allow an authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges on an affected device.

Understanding CVE-2020-3601

This CVE involves a privilege escalation vulnerability in Cisco StarOS operating system for ASR 5000 Series Routers.

What is CVE-2020-3601?

The vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco StarOS allows a local attacker with valid administrative credentials to execute arbitrary code with root user privileges by sending crafted commands.

The Impact of CVE-2020-3601

The vulnerability could lead to unauthorized privilege escalation on affected devices, potentially compromising their security and integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-3601

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Insufficient input validation of CLI commands in Cisco StarOS operating system for ASR 5000 Series Routers.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco ASR 5000 Series Software
Vendor: Cisco
Version: n/a

Exploitation Mechanism

Attacker needs valid administrative credentials on the affected device
Crafting and sending malicious commands to the CLI

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the exploitation of CVE-2020-3601.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-provided patches or updates promptly
Monitor network for any suspicious activities
Restrict access to administrative privileges

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular security training for staff on best practices
Implement strong password policies and multi-factor authentication
Conduct regular security audits and assessments

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security advisories from Cisco
Apply patches and updates as soon as they are released
Consider implementing automated patch management solutions