CVE-2021-1485 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco IOS XR Software allows an authenticated, local attacker to inject arbitrary commands executed with root privileges on the underlying Linux OS. This could be exploited by submitting crafted input to an affected command.

Understanding CVE-2021-1485

This CVE describes a command injection vulnerability in Cisco IOS XR Software that could be abused by an attacker with local access to execute commands with root privileges.

What is CVE-2021-1485?

The vulnerability in Cisco IOS XR Software enables an authenticated local attacker to inject arbitrary commands on the Linux OS with root privileges, caused by insufficient input validation.

The Impact of CVE-2021-1485

With a CVSS base score of 6.6 (Medium Severity), successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute commands with elevated privileges on the affected device.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-1485

This section covers the specific technical details of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allows an authenticated, local attacker to inject commands with root privileges due to inadequate validation of user-supplied input.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Cisco IOS XR Software versions.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to a device and submitting crafted input to a specific command.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting your systems and networks from CVE-2021-1485 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Ensure access controls are in place, restrict CLI access, and implement strong password policies to mitigate the risk.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular security training for personnel, network segmentation, and continuous monitoring are key to preventing such vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay updated with vendor security advisories and apply patches as soon as they are released.