A vulnerability was found in Cisco NX-OS (Router Operating System) (affected version unknown). It has been declared as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the component Python Script Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a input validation vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-20. The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

A vulnerability in the Python scripting subsystem of Cisco NX-OS Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to escape the Python parser and gain unauthorized access to the underlying operating system of the device. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient sanitization of user-supplied parameters that are passed to certain Python functions within the scripting sandbox of the affected device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to escape the scripting sandbox and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with the privileges of the authenticated user. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must have local access and be authenticated to the targeted device with administrative or Python execution privileges. These requirements could limit the possibility of a successful exploit. This vulnerability affects the following Cisco products if they are running Cisco NX-OS Software: Multilayer Director Switches, Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extenders, Nexus 3000 Series Switches, Nexus 3500 Platform Switches, Nexus 5000 Series Switches, Nexus 5500 Platform Switches, Nexus 5600 Platform Switches, Nexus 6000 Series Switches, Nexus 7000 Series Switches, Nexus 7700 Series Switches, Nexus 9000 Series Switches - Standalone, NX-OS mode, Nexus 9500 R-Series Line Cards and Fabric Modules. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvb86832, CSCvd86474, CSCvd86479, CSCvd86484, CSCvd86490, CSCve97102, CSCvf12757, CSCvf12804, CSCvf12815, CSCvf15198.

The bug was discovered 10/18/2017. The weakness was disclosed 10/19/2017 (Website). The advisory is shared at securitytracker.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2017-12301 since 08/03/2017. An attack has to be approached locally. The successful exploitation needs a single authentication. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 104127 (Cisco NX-OS Software Python Parser Escape Vulnerability), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family CISCO and running in the context c. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 316186 (Cisco NX-OS Software Python Parser Escape Vulnerability (cisco-sa-20171018-ppe)).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published before and not just after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (104127).

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Type

• Router Operating System

Vendor

• Cisco

Name

• NX-OS

License

• commercial

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