CVE-2018-0304 in FXOS
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the Cisco Fabric Services component of Cisco FXOS Software and Cisco NX-OS Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to read sensitive memory content, create a denial of service (DoS) condition, or execute arbitrary code as root. The vulnerability exists because the affected software insufficiently validates Cisco Fabric Services packet headers. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted Cisco Fabric Services packet to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause a buffer overflow or buffer overread condition in the Cisco Fabric Services component, which could allow the attacker to read sensitive memory content, create a DoS condition, or execute arbitrary code as root. This vulnerability affects the following if configured to use Cisco Fabric Services: Firepower 4100 Series Next-Generation Firewalls, Firepower 9300 Security Appliance, MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Switches, Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extenders, Nexus 3000 Series Switches, Nexus 3500 Platform 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 in standalone NX-OS mode, Nexus 9500 R-Series Line Cards and Fabric Modules, UCS 6100 Series Fabric Interconnects, UCS 6200 Series Fabric Interconnects, UCS 6300 Series Fabric Interconnects. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvd69951, CSCve02459, CSCve02461, CSCve02463, CSCve02474, CSCve04859.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0304 resides within the Cisco Fabric Services component of Cisco FXOS Software and Cisco NX-OS Software, representing a critical security flaw that enables unauthenticated remote attackers to compromise affected network devices. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of Cisco Fabric Services packet headers, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through crafted packet delivery. The flaw manifests as a buffer overflow or buffer overread condition within the Fabric Services component, allowing attackers to access sensitive memory content that could contain credentials, encryption keys, or other confidential information. The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure, as the vulnerability can be leveraged to create denial of service conditions that disrupt network operations or execute arbitrary code with root privileges, effectively granting full system control.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to send specifically crafted Cisco Fabric Services packets to an affected device that has Cisco Fabric Services configured. The insufficient input validation allows malicious packet headers to bypass normal security checks, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for privilege escalation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities. The attack vector operates through the network layer where Cisco Fabric Services communications occur, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed remotely without requiring authentication credentials. The exploitability is enhanced by the fact that the vulnerability affects multiple Cisco product lines including firewalls, switches, and fabric interconnects, creating a widespread attack surface.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0304 extends across numerous enterprise network infrastructure components, affecting Cisco Firepower 4100 Series Next-Generation Firewalls, various Nexus switch platforms including the 2000, 3000, 5500, 5600, 6000, 7000, 7700, and 9000 series, MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Switches, and UCS Fabric Interconnects. This broad impact means that organizations with Cisco networking equipment across multiple network segments could face complete system compromise if not properly patched. The vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to sensitive network data, disruption of critical network services, and potential data exfiltration from core network infrastructure. The attack could be particularly devastating in environments where these devices serve as network gateways or core switching infrastructure, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to establish persistent access points within the network.
Organizations must implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including applying the latest Cisco security patches and updates that address the buffer validation issues in the Fabric Services component. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual Fabric Services traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and control communication, and T1068, which describes local privilege escalation. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all affected devices within their network infrastructure and prioritize patching based on risk exposure. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect malformed Fabric Services packets will help identify potential exploitation attempts before they can cause significant damage.