Overview
There is a vulnerability that permits unauthorized access to several switch and router products manufactured by Cisco Systems. An attacker who gains access to an affected device can read and modify its configuration, creating a denial-of-service condition, an information leak, or both.
Description
Certain versions of the Cisco Internetworking Operating System (IOS) and Catalyst Operating System (CatOS) contain a default configuration that allows a read-only Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) community string to expose a read-write community string. The exposure occurs in the View-based Access Control (VACM) MIB, which is a Management Information Base module that allows system administrators to configure access policies for SNMP-managed devices. Once exposed, the read-write community string grants an attacker complete access to affected devices, allowing them to gather information, monitor network traffic, and alter or disrupt network operation. |
Impact
This vulnerability allows attackers to read and modify any SNMP objects present on an affected device. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can re-route or disrupt network traffic as well as gather information about network topology and system administration contacts. |
Solution
Cisco has released an advisory that provides a list of affected products, along with instructions for obtaining fixed software. Because there are many possible combinations of hardware and software configurations, the CERT/CC recommends that all users of IOS and CatOS software consult the following Cisco Security Advisory: |
Cisco has provided detailed information on implementing workarounds to address this issue. Please consult the Cisco advisory referenced above. |
Vendor Information
CVSS Metrics
| Group | Score | Vector |
|---|---|---|
| Base | ||
| Temporal | ||
| Environmental |
References
- http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/707/ios-snmp-community-vulns-pub.shtml
- http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/759/ipj_1-3/ipj_1-3_snmpv3_1.html
- http://www.electricrain.com/edavis/usm.html
- http://www.electricrain.com/edavis/vacm.html
- http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2574.txt
- http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2575.txt
- http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2576.txt
Acknowledgements
The CERT/CC thanks Cisco Systems for providing a description of this vulnerability and a patch to address it.
This document was written by Jeffrey P. Lanza and is based on information obtained from a Cisco Security Advisory.
Other Information
| CVE IDs: | None |
| Severity Metric: | 54.68 |
| Date Public: | 2001-02-28 |
| Date First Published: | 2001-05-01 |
| Date Last Updated: | 2002-03-05 22:52 UTC |
| Document Revision: | 18 |