Cisco Security Advisory
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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
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A vulnerability in the administrative shell of the Cisco Email Security Appliance (ESA) and Content Security Management Appliance (SMA) could allow an authenticated, local attacker to escalate their privilege level and gain root access. The attacker has to have a valid user credential with at least a privilege level of a guest user.
The vulnerability is due to an incorrect networking configuration at the administrative shell CLI. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to the targeted device and issuing a set of crafted, malicious commands at the administrative shell. An exploit could allow the attacker to gain root access on the 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://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20180117-esasma
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Vulnerable Products
This vulnerability affects all software versions through the first fixed release of Cisco AsyncOS Software for ESA and Content SMA, for both virtual and hardware appliances.
Cisco Cloud Email Security (CES) includes the ESA and SMA as part of the service solution. Cisco provides regular maintenance of the products included in this solution. Customers can also request a software upgrade by contacting CES support.
Determining the Software Version
To determine whether a vulnerable version of Cisco AsyncOS Software is running on a Cisco ESA, administrators can use the version command in the ESA CLI. The following example shows the results for a device running Cisco AsyncOS Software version 9.7.2-065:
ciscoesa> version
Current Version
===============
Product: Cisco IronPort X1070 Messaging Gateway(tm) Appliance
Model: X1070
Version: 9.7.2-065
.
.
.To determine whether a vulnerable version of Cisco AsyncOS Software is running on a Cisco SMA, administrators can use the version command in the SMA CLI. The following example shows the results for a device running Cisco AsyncOS Software version 9.1.1-005:
ciscosma> version
Current Version
===============
Product: Cisco IronPort M670 Security Management(tm) Appliance
Model: M670
Version: 9.1.1-005
.
.
.Products Confirmed Not Vulnerable
No other Cisco products are currently known to be affected by this vulnerability.
Cisco has confirmed that this vulnerability does not affect Cisco Web Security Appliance, virtual and hardware versions.
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There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.
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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.html
Additionally, 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.html
Customers 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
In the following tables, the left column lists major releases of Cisco AsyncOS Software for ESA and SMA. The right column indicates whether a major release is affected by the vulnerability described in this advisory and the first minor release that includes the fix for this vulnerability.
Customers should upgrade to an appropriate release as indicated in the following tables:Cisco AsyncOS ESA Software Major Release First Fixed Release for This Vulnerability Prior to 9.8
Affected; migrate to 9.8.0-015 or 10.0.1-087 9.8 9.8.0-092 10.0
10.0.1-087 11.0 Not vulnerable Cisco AsyncOS SMA Software Major Release First Fixed Release for This Vulnerability Prior to 10.1
Affected; migrate to 11.0.0-115
10.1 Affected; migrate to 11.0.0-115
10.5 Affected; migrate to 11.0.0-115 11.0
11.0.0-115
In most cases, administrators can upgrade ESA and SMA software over the network by doing the following in the Cisco AsyncOS System Administration GUI:
- Choose System Administration > System Upgrade.
- Click Upgrade Options.
- Click Download.
- Choose the Cisco AsyncOS Software release to upgrade to.
- In the Upgrade Preparation area, choose the appropriate options.
- Click Proceed. A progress bar displays the status of the upgrade.
After the upgrade is complete, the ESA or SMA will reboot.
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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.
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This vulnerability was found during the resolution of a Cisco TAC support case.
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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.
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Show LessVersion Description Section Status Date 1.1 Updated the Fixed Release table. Fixed Software Final 2018-January-23 1.0 Initial public release. — Final 2018-January-17
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