CVE-2021-34795 : What You Need to Know

Cisco Catalyst PON Series Switches Optical Network Terminal Vulnerabilities were disclosed on November 3, 2021, with a base score of 10. This vulnerability allows remote unauthenticated attackers to login with default credentials, perform command injections, and modify configurations through the web-based management interface of Cisco Catalyst PON Series Switches.

Understanding CVE-2021-34795

This section will cover what CVE-2021-34795 is and the impact it can have.

What is CVE-2021-34795?

CVE-2021-34795 refers to multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of Cisco Catalyst Passive Optical Network (PON) Series Switches Optical Network Terminal. These vulnerabilities can be exploited by remote, unauthenticated attackers to perform critical actions.

The Impact of CVE-2021-34795

The vulnerabilities with a base score of 10 pose a critical risk, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access, execute malicious commands, and manipulate configurations, potentially leading to severe disruptions.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-34795

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability, including descriptions, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanisms.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows attackers to log in with default credentials, conduct command injections, and alter configurations remotely through the web-based management interface of Cisco Catalyst PON Series Switches.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is the Cisco Catalyst PON Series, with all versions being susceptible to these vulnerabilities.

Exploitation Mechanism

The attacker can exploit these vulnerabilities over the network without needing any privileges, with a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, you will find steps to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2021-34795 and secure your systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable the Telnet protocol if not required to prevent unauthorized login using default credentials.
Regularly monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities that may indicate an ongoing exploitation attempt.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong password policies and ensure regular password changes to deter unauthorized access.
Keep systems up to date with the latest security patches and software updates provided by Cisco.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Cisco and apply relevant patches promptly to address known vulnerabilities.