Cisco IOS Software Zero-day Exploited in Attacks

Cisco has issued fixes to address a vulnerability in the GET VPN feature of IOS and IOS XE software that has been exploited in attacks.

A remote attacker who has administrative access to a group member or a key server can exploit this vulnerability to run arbitrary code or bring down an affected device.

Cisco GET VPN is a set of features required for secure IP multicast group communication or unicast traffic over a private WAN that originates or flows through a Cisco IOS device. 

GET VPN integrates the group key management protocol with IPsec encryption to offer users an efficient way to secure IP multicast or unicast communication.

Document
FREE Demo

Deploy Advanced AI-Powered Email Security Solution

Implementing AI-Powered Email security solutions “Trustifi” can secure your business from today’s most dangerous email threats, such as Email Tracking, Blocking, Modifying, Phishing, Account Take Over, Business Email Compromise, Malware & Ransomware

Details of the Vulnerability

With a CVSS base score of 6.6, the Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability reported by Cisco is tracked as CVE-2023-20109 and has a ‘medium’ severity range.

“This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of attributes in the Group Domain of Interpretation (GDOI) and G-IKEv2 protocols of the GET VPN feature”, Cisco said in its advisory.

A hacker could take advantage of this vulnerability by compromising an installed key server or changing a group member’s settings to point to a key server under the attacker’s control.

If the exploit is successful, the attacker may be able to run arbitrary code and take complete control of the target system, or they may force the target system to reload and create a DoS.

Affected Products

If a Cisco product had the GDOI or G-IKEv2 protocol enabled and was running a vulnerable version of the Cisco IOS software or Cisco IOS XE software, it is considered vulnerable.

Products Not Vulnerable

  • IOS XR Software
  • Meraki products
  • NX-OS Software

This vulnerability, according to Cisco, can only be exploited in one of two ways:

  • The attacker compromises the existing key server and gains access to the GDOI or G-IKEv2 packets sent by the key server to the group member.
  • The attacker creates and installs their own key server and then reconfigures the group member to interact with the attacker-controlled key server.

Mitigation Measures

As stated in the advisory, Cisco recommends that affected users apply software updates as early as possible.

Cisco confirmed that there are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Protect yourself from vulnerabilities using Patch Manager Plus to quickly patch over 850 third-party applications. Take advantage of the free trial to ensure 100% security.

Gurubaran

Gurubaran is a co-founder of Cyber Security News and GBHackers On Security. He has 10+ years of experience as a Security Consultant, Editor, and Analyst in cybersecurity, technology, and communications.

Recent Posts

Threat Actors Manipulate Search Results to Lure Users to Malicious Websites

Cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting search engine optimization (SEO) techniques and paid advertisements to manipulate search…

23 hours ago

Hackers Imitate Google Chrome Install Page on Google Play to Distribute Android Malware

Cybersecurity experts have unearthed an intricate cyber campaign that leverages deceptive websites posing as the…

24 hours ago

Dangling DNS Attack Allows Hackers to Take Over Organization’s Subdomain

Hackers are exploiting what's known as "Dangling DNS" records to take over corporate subdomains, posing…

24 hours ago

HelloKitty Ransomware Returns, Launching Attacks on Windows, Linux, and ESXi Environments

Security researchers and cybersecurity experts have recently uncovered new variants of the notorious HelloKitty ransomware,…

24 hours ago

RansomHub Ransomware Group Hits 84 Organizations as New Threat Actors Emerge

The RansomHub ransomware group has emerged as a significant danger, targeting a wide array of…

24 hours ago

Threat Actors Leverage Email Bombing to Evade Security Tools and Conceal Malicious Activity

Threat actors are increasingly using email bombing to bypass security protocols and facilitate further malicious…

2 days ago