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) contain a default Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) community string that unintentionally grants read-write access to many SNMP objects. The default community string ("cable-docsis") is present in a Management Information Base (MIB) module used to configure cable modem equipment that is compatible with the Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) standard. When present on non-DOCSIS equipment, this 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 object 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 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
Acknowledgements
The CERT/CC thanks Ben Boulanger of Speedtrak Communications for reporting this vulnerability to us and Cisco Systems for their description and patch.
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 20:35 UTC |
| Document Revision: | 16 |