CVE-2021-1257
📋 TL;DR
This CSRF vulnerability in Cisco DNA Center allows unauthenticated attackers to trick authenticated administrators into executing malicious actions via crafted links. Attackers can modify device configurations, disconnect sessions, or run commands with the user's privileges. All Cisco DNA Center users with web-based management access are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Cisco DNA Center
📦 What is this software?
Agent by Mcafee
Agent by Mcafee
Agent by Mcafee
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of Cisco DNA Center infrastructure, allowing attackers to reconfigure network devices, deploy malicious configurations, or disrupt network operations.
Likely Case
Unauthorized configuration changes leading to network disruption, session hijacking, or execution of limited commands through the Command Runner.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper network segmentation, access controls, and user awareness training are implemented.
🎯 Exploit Status
CSRF attacks require user interaction but are well-understood and easy to implement.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.1.2.0 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-dnac-csrf-dC83cMcV
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Backup current configuration. 2. Download and install Cisco DNA Center version 2.1.2.0 or later from Cisco Software Center. 3. Apply the update through the web interface or CLI. 4. Verify successful installation and restore configuration if needed.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Implement CSRF Tokens
allAdd anti-CSRF tokens to web forms and validate them server-side.
Restrict Management Access
allLimit web management interface access to trusted IP addresses only.
Configure firewall rules to allow only specific source IPs to access DNA Center management ports
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate DNA Center from untrusted networks
- Enforce strong authentication and session management controls
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Cisco DNA Center version via web interface (System > About) or CLI command 'show version'Check Version:
show versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify installed version is 2.1.2.0 or later and test CSRF protection mechanisms📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected configuration changes
- Unauthorized Command Runner executions
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful ones
Network Indicators:
- Unusual HTTP POST requests to management interface
- Requests from unexpected source IPs
SIEM Query:
source="dna_center" AND (action="configuration_change" OR command="runner") AND user!="authorized_user"🔗 References
- https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10382
- https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-dnac-csrf-dC83cMcV
- https://kc.mcafee.com/corporate/index?page=content&id=SB10382
- https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-dnac-csrf-dC83cMcV
