CVE-2021-1584 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability in Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Fabric Switches in Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) mode could allow an authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges on an affected device. This could lead to a command injection attack and potential unauthorized access to the underlying operating system, posing a serious security risk.

Understanding CVE-2021-1584

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2021-1584 vulnerability, its impact, technical description, affected systems, and mitigation steps.

What is CVE-2021-1584?

The vulnerability in Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Fabric Switches in ACI mode allows a local attacker with administrative privileges to elevate their access and potentially execute arbitrary commands on the device.

The Impact of CVE-2021-1584

An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain root access to the underlying operating system, compromising the confidentiality and integrity of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-1584

Here are the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-1584 vulnerability that users need to be aware of:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from insufficient restrictions during the execution of a specific CLI command, enabling an attacker to perform a command injection attack.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is the Cisco NX-OS System Software in ACI Mode with versions susceptible to this privilege escalation vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging administrative privileges, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to run arbitrary commands, potentially leading to a full system compromise.

Mitigation and Prevention

Understanding the severity of the CVE-2021-1584 vulnerability, taking immediate steps and following long-term security practices is crucial for safeguarding the affected systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to apply security patches provided by Cisco to address this vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring for any unauthorized activities on the network is essential.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing the principle of least privilege, conducting regular security audits, and educating users on secure practices can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates released by Cisco for the affected product and ensure timely patching to mitigate the risk of exploitation.