CVE-2023-20038 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE record was published by Cisco on January 19, 2023, revealing a vulnerability in the monitoring application of Cisco Industrial Network Director that could be exploited by an authenticated, local attacker.

Understanding CVE-2023-20038

This section aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the vulnerability tracked under CVE-2023-20038.

What is CVE-2023-20038?

CVE-2023-20038 is a vulnerability found in the monitoring application of Cisco Industrial Network Director. It allows a local attacker who is authenticated to access a static secret key used for storing local data and credentials for remote system access.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20038

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it can enable an attacker to decrypt data by exploiting the static key value stored in the application. This could lead to unauthorized access to remote systems monitored by Cisco Industrial Network Director.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20038

In this section, we will delve into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-20038.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a static key value used for encrypting application data and remote credentials, which can be accessed by an attacker with local server access.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is Cisco Industrial Network Director, with the following impacted versions: 1.5.0, 1.5.1, 1.4.0, 1.0.0, and 1.0.1.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker needs local access to the server where Cisco Industrial Network Director is installed. By leveraging the static key value, they can decrypt data and potentially access remote systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

Mitigating the risks associated with CVE-2023-20038 is crucial to maintaining security posture.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediate steps include applying patches or updates provided by Cisco to address the vulnerability. Additionally, restricting access to the server hosting Cisco Industrial Network Director can reduce the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strong access controls, regular security assessments, and security awareness training can enhance long-term security practices and prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

It is essential to stay informed about security advisories from Cisco and promptly apply any patches or updates released to mitigate vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-20038. Keep systems up to date to ensure a secure environment.