CVE-2020-3525
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) allows authenticated remote attackers to recover service account passwords saved on affected systems. Attackers with read or write access to the Admin portal can exploit this by browsing to configuration pages containing sensitive data. This exposes service accounts to credential theft and further attacks.
💻 Affected Systems
- Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers gain service account credentials, potentially leading to privilege escalation, lateral movement, and complete compromise of the ISE environment and connected systems.
Likely Case
Authenticated attackers with existing access recover service passwords, enabling credential reuse attacks against other systems and privilege escalation within the ISE environment.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls limiting Admin portal access, impact is reduced to authorized users only, though insider threats remain possible.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access to Admin portal. Simple browsing to vulnerable pages triggers the disclosure.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Multiple fixed versions available - see Cisco advisory for specific version mappings
Vendor Advisory: https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ise-pass-disclosure-K8p2Nsgg
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Review Cisco advisory for specific fixed versions matching your deployment. 2. Download appropriate patch from Cisco Software Center. 3. Apply patch following Cisco ISE upgrade procedures. 4. Restart ISE services as required.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
No workarounds available
allCisco states there are no workarounds that address this vulnerability
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict Admin portal access to only essential personnel using network segmentation and strict access controls
- Implement credential rotation for all service accounts to limit exposure window
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check ISE version against Cisco advisory. Vulnerable if running affected versions and Admin portal is accessible.Check Version:
From ISE CLI: show version | include VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify ISE version is updated to patched version listed in Cisco advisory. Confirm Admin portal no longer exposes saved passwords.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual Admin portal access patterns
- Multiple configuration page accesses by single user in short time
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to Admin portal configuration pages from unusual sources
SIEM Query:
source="ISE" AND (url_path CONTAINS "/admin/" OR event_description CONTAINS "configuration") AND user NOT IN ["authorized_admin_users"]🔗 References
- https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-cucm-cuc-imp-xss-XtpzfM5e
- https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-dcnm-authbypass-YVJzqgk2
- https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-dcnm-pa-trav-bMdfSTTq
- https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-esa-tls-dos-xW53TBhb
- https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ise-pass-disclosure-K8p2Nsgg
