CVE-2021-1388 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2021-1388, a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in Cisco ACI Multi-Site Orchestrator (MSO) impacting the Application Services Engine. Find out the impact, technical details, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
A vulnerability in an API endpoint of Cisco ACI Multi-Site Orchestrator (MSO) installed on the Application Services Engine could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass authentication on an affected device. This could lead to an attacker gaining administrator-level privileges.
Understanding CVE-2021-1388
This section provides detailed insights into the CVE-2021-1388 vulnerability.
What is CVE-2021-1388?
The CVE-2021-1388 vulnerability specifically affects the Cisco ACI Multi-Site Orchestrator (MSO) installed on the Application Services Engine. It allows a remote attacker to bypass authentication and potentially gain administrator-level privileges on the affected device.
The Impact of CVE-2021-1388
If successfully exploited, the CVE-2021-1388 vulnerability could enable an attacker to receive a token with administrator-level privileges. This token could then be used to authenticate to the API on affected MSO and managed Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) devices.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-1388
In this section, we delve into the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-1388 vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability is a result of improper token validation on a specific API endpoint, allowing attackers to bypass authentication.
Affected Systems and Versions
The vulnerability affects the Cisco ACI Multi-Site Orchestrator (MSO) installed on the Application Services Engine with specific versions.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted request to the affected API, enabling them to bypass authentication and gain unauthorized access.
Mitigation and Prevention
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-1388, certain steps need to be taken.
Immediate Steps to Take
Organizations are advised to apply relevant patches and security updates provided by Cisco to address this vulnerability promptly.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implementing stringent access controls, regular security audits, and monitoring can help prevent unauthorized access and potential exploits.
Patching and Updates
Regularly updating and patching the affected systems with the latest security fixes is crucial to prevent exploitation of vulnerabilities.