Cisco IOS XE REST API Request improper authentication

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Cisco IOS XE. Affected is an unknown function of the component REST API. Performing a manipulation as part of Request results in improper authentication. This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2018-0195. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is not any exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Cisco IOS XE (Router Operating System) (version now known). This affects some unknown processing of the component REST API. The manipulation as part of a Request leads to a improper authentication vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-287. When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

A vulnerability in the Cisco IOS XE Software REST API could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to bypass API authorization checks and use the API to perform privileged actions on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to insufficient authorization checks for requests that are sent to the REST API of the affected software. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a malicious request to an affected device via the REST API. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to selectively bypass authorization checks for the REST API of the affected software and use the API to perform privileged actions on an affected device. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCuz56428.

The bug was discovered 03/28/2018. The weakness was released 03/28/2018 with Cisco as cisco-sa-20180328-rest as confirmed advisory (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at tools.cisco.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2018-0195 since 11/27/2017. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. Required for exploitation is a authentication. The technical details are unknown and an exploit is not publicly available. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 02/06/2021).

The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 316227 (Cisco IOS XE Software REST API Authorization Bypass Vulnerability(cisco-sa-20180328-rest)).

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at SecurityFocus (BID 103557†). Entries connected to this vulnerability are available at VDB-115192, VDB-115189, VDB-115190 and VDB-115187. Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Router Operating System

Vendor

• Cisco

Name

• IOS XE

License

• commercial

Website

• Vendor: https://www.cisco.com/

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Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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