CVE-2024-20399: Cisco NX-OS Command Injection Vulnerability
A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco NX-OS Software could allow an authenticated user in possession of Administrator credentials to execute arbitrary commands as root on the underlying operating system of an affected device. This vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of arguments that are passed to specific configuration CLI commands. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by including crafted input as the argument of an affected configuration CLI command. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with the privileges of root. Note: To successfully exploit this vulnerability on a Cisco NX-OS device, an attacker must have Administrator credentials. The following Cisco devices already allow administrative users to access the underlying operating system through the bash-shell feature, so, for these devices, this vulnerability does not grant any additional privileges: Nexus 3000 Series Switches Nexus 7000 Series Switches that are running Cisco NX-OS Software releases 8.1(1) and later Nexus 9000 Series Switches in standalone NX-OS mode
Other sources
Cisco NX-OS contains a command injection vulnerability in the command line interface (CLI) that could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute commands as root on the underlying operating system of an affected device.
— CISA
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Compensating control
Restrict access to device management/CLI interfaces to trusted IP addresses and networks using ACLs or firewall rules (for example, limit SSH/HTTPS/console access to management subnets or jump hosts).
- Operational
Rotate Administrator credentials and any other high-privilege account credentials (change passwords and revoke/replace keys) to ensure any potentially exposed Administrator credentials are no longer valid.
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2024-20399?
CVE-2024-20399 has a critical severity level, allowing authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands as root.
How do I fix CVE-2024-20399?
To mitigate CVE-2024-20399, apply the latest Cisco NX-OS software updates that address this specific vulnerability.
Who is affected by CVE-2024-20399?
CVE-2024-20399 affects various versions of Cisco NX-OS Software, specifically those where Administrator credentials can be exploited.
What can attackers do with CVE-2024-20399?
Attackers with access can execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Is there a workaround for CVE-2024-20399?
Currently, it is recommended to limit access to affected devices as a temporary measure while awaiting official patches from Cisco.