Cisco Security Advisory
Click Icon to Copy Verbose Score
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:X/RL:X/RC:X
-
A vulnerability in the background operations functionality of Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) Mode Switch Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to gain elevated privileges as root on an affected device.
The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied files on an affected device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by logging in to the CLI of the affected device and creating a crafted file in a specific directory on the filesystem. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary operating system commands as root on an affected device.Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.
This advisory is available at the following link:
https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20190501-aci-hw-clock-util
-
Vulnerable Products
This vulnerability affects the following Cisco products if they are running a Cisco Nexus 9000 Series ACI Mode Switch Software Release prior to 13.2(6i) or 14.1(1i). For information about fixed software releases, consult the Fixed Software section of this advisory.
Determining the Cisco NX-OS Software Release
Administrators can determine the release of Cisco NX-OS Software running on a device by using the show version command in the device CLI. The following example identifies the 11.2(2) Release:
nxos-n9k-aci# show version Cisco Nexus Operating System (NX-OS) Software such license is available at http://www.opensource.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.php and http://www.opensource.org/licenses/lgpl-2.1.php Software BIOS: version N/A kickstart: version 11.2(2) [build 11.2(1.184)] system: version 11.2(2) [build 11.2(1.184)] . . .
Products Confirmed Not Vulnerable
Only products listed in the Vulnerable Products section of this advisory are known to be affected by this vulnerability.
Cisco has confirmed that this vulnerability does not affect the following Cisco products:
- Firepower 2100 Series
- Firepower 4100 Series
- Firepower 9300 Security Appliances
- MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Switches
- Nexus 1000V Switch for Microsoft Hyper-V
- Nexus 1000V Switch for VMware vSphere
- Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extenders
- Nexus 3000 Series Switches
- Nexus 3500 Platform Switches
- Nexus 3600 Platform Switches
- Nexus 5000 Series Switches
- Nexus 5500 Platform Switches
- Nexus 5600 Platform Switches
- Nexus 7000 Series Switches
- Nexus 7700 Series Switches
- Nexus 9000 Series Switches in standalone NX-OS mode
- Nexus 9500 R-Series Switching Platform
- UCS 6200 Series Fabric Interconnects
- UCS 6300 Series Fabric Interconnects
- UCS 6400 Series Fabric Interconnects
-
Cisco has released free software updates that address the vulnerability described in this advisory. Customers may only install and expect support for software versions and feature sets for which they have purchased a license. By installing, downloading, accessing, or otherwise using such software upgrades, customers agree to follow the terms of the Cisco software license:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/end-user-license-agreement.htmlAdditionally, customers may only download software for which they have a valid license, procured from Cisco directly, or through a Cisco authorized reseller or partner. In most cases this will be a maintenance upgrade to software that was previously purchased. Free security software updates do not entitle customers to a new software license, additional software feature sets, or major revision upgrades.
When considering software upgrades, customers are advised to regularly consult the advisories for Cisco products, which are available from the Cisco Security Advisories and Alerts page, to determine exposure and a complete upgrade solution.
In all cases, customers should ensure that the devices to be upgraded contain sufficient memory and confirm that current hardware and software configurations will continue to be supported properly by the new release. If the information is not clear, customers are advised to contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) or their contracted maintenance providers.
Customers Without Service Contracts
Customers who purchase directly from Cisco but do not hold a Cisco service contract and customers who make purchases through third-party vendors but are unsuccessful in obtaining fixed software through their point of sale should obtain upgrades by contacting the Cisco TAC:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/web/tsd-cisco-worldwide-contacts.htmlCustomers should have the product serial number available and be prepared to provide the URL of this advisory as evidence of entitlement to a free upgrade.
Fixed Releases
This vulnerability is fixed in Cisco Nexus 9000 Series ACI Mode Switch Software Releases 13.2(6i), 14.1(1i), and later.
The recommended action for all Cisco customers running a device with an affected version is to upgrade to the latest maintenance or latest long-lived version. Cisco suggests that customers visit the following page to determine what fixed release to choose: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/aci/apic/sw/recommended-release/b_Recommended_Cisco_ACI_Releases.html.
Additional Resources
For help determining the best Cisco NX-OS Software release for a Cisco Nexus Switch, administrators can refer to the following Recommended Releases documents. If a security advisory recommends a later release, Cisco recommends following the advisory guidance.
For help determining the best Cisco NX-OS Software release for Cisco UCS, refer to the Recommended Releases documents in the release notes for the device.Cisco MDS Series Switches
Cisco Nexus 1000V for VMware Switch
Cisco Nexus 3000 Series and 3500 Series Switches
Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switches
Cisco Nexus 5500 Platform Switches
Cisco Nexus 6000 Series Switches
Cisco Nexus 7000 Series Switches
Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches
Cisco Nexus 9000 Series ACI-Mode Switches
-
The Cisco Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) is not aware of any public announcements or malicious use of the vulnerability that is described in this advisory.
-
Cisco would like to thank Octav Opaschi with Detack GmbH for reporting this vulnerability.
-
To learn about Cisco security vulnerability disclosure policies and publications, see the Security Vulnerability Policy. This document also contains instructions for obtaining fixed software and receiving security vulnerability information from Cisco.
-
Show LessVersion Description Section Status Date 1.1 Updated fixed software information. Vulnerable Products, Fixed Releases Final 2019-May-09 1.0 Initial public release. — Final 2019-May-01
-
THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS AND DOES NOT IMPLY ANY KIND OF GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE. YOUR USE OF THE INFORMATION ON THE DOCUMENT OR MATERIALS LINKED FROM THE DOCUMENT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. CISCO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR UPDATE THIS DOCUMENT AT ANY TIME.
A standalone copy or paraphrase of the text of this document that omits the distribution URL is an uncontrolled copy and may lack important information or contain factual errors. The information in this document is intended for end users of Cisco products.