Learn about CVE-2023-20063, a critical vulnerability in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense Software and Cisco Firepower Management Software. Take immediate steps to secure affected devices.
This article provides detailed information about CVE-2023-20063, a vulnerability identified in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software and Cisco Firepower Management (FMC) Software.
Understanding CVE-2023-20063
CVE-2023-20063 is a vulnerability in the inter-device communication mechanisms between devices running Cisco FTD Software and Cisco FMC Software. This flaw could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary commands with root permissions on the underlying operating system of an affected device.
What is CVE-2023-20063?
The vulnerability in CVE-2023-20063 is the result of insufficient validation of user-supplied input. By accessing the expert mode of an affected device and submitting specific commands to a connected system, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability. A successful exploit could enable the attacker to execute arbitrary code in the context of either an FMC device or an FTD device if the attacker has administrative privileges on the associated device.
The Impact of CVE-2023-20063
Due to the nature of this vulnerability, an attacker could gain unauthorized access and execute malicious commands with elevated privileges on the affected devices. This could lead to a complete compromise of the device's operating system, resulting in potential data breaches, disruption of services, and other serious security implications.
Technical Details of CVE-2023-20063
This section dives into the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism associated with CVE-2023-20063.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in CVE-2023-20063 allows an attacker to execute arbitrary commands with root permissions on the affected device's operating system by exploiting insufficient validation of user-supplied input in the inter-device communication mechanisms.
Affected Systems and Versions
The Cisco Firepower Management Center and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense Software versions ranging from 6.2.3 to 7.2.3 are impacted by CVE-2023-20063. A comprehensive list of affected versions is available in the vendor's advisory.
Exploitation Mechanism
An attacker with authenticated, local access could leverage this vulnerability by submitting specific commands to a connected system in expert mode, potentially leading to the execution of arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2023-20063, immediate steps should be taken to secure the affected devices and prevent unauthorized exploitation of this vulnerability. Implementing long-term security practices and applying necessary patches and updates are crucial in mitigating the risks associated with this security flaw.
Immediate Steps to Take
Long-Term Security Practices
Patching and Updates
Cisco has released patches addressing CVE-2023-20063. It is essential to apply the latest security updates provided by the vendor to remediate the vulnerability and enhance the security posture of the affected systems.