CVE-2024-20275
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated remote attackers with Network Administrator privileges to execute arbitrary operating system commands on Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center devices. Attackers must trick a legitimate user into initiating a cluster backup to exploit the insufficient input validation in the web interface. Organizations using affected FMC versions are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC)
- Firepower Management Center
📦 What is this software?
Secure Firewall Management Center by Cisco
Secure Firewall Management Center by Cisco
Secure Firewall Management Center by Cisco
Secure Firewall Management Center by Cisco
Secure Firewall Management Center by Cisco
Secure Firewall Management Center by Cisco
Secure Firewall Management Center by Cisco
Secure Firewall Management Center by Cisco
Secure Firewall Management Center by Cisco
Secure Firewall Management Center by Cisco
Secure Firewall Management Center by Cisco
Secure Firewall Management Center by Cisco
Secure Firewall Management Center by Cisco
Secure Firewall Management Center by Cisco
Secure Firewall Management Center by Cisco
Secure Firewall Management Center by Cisco
Secure Firewall Management Center by Cisco
Secure Firewall Management Center by Cisco
Secure Firewall Management Center by Cisco
Secure Firewall Management Center by Cisco
Secure Firewall Management Center by Cisco
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise allowing attacker to execute arbitrary commands, potentially leading to data exfiltration, lateral movement, or complete device takeover.
Likely Case
Privilege escalation leading to unauthorized configuration changes, data access, or persistence mechanisms being installed.
If Mitigated
Limited impact due to proper access controls, network segmentation, and monitoring preventing successful exploitation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires authenticated access with Network Administrator privileges and social engineering to trigger the vulnerable feature.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 7.4.1.2 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-fmc-cmd-inj-g8AOKnDP
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Backup current configuration. 2. Download and install FMC version 7.4.1.2 or later from Cisco Software Center. 3. Apply the update through the web interface. 4. Verify successful installation and functionality.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Network Administrator Access
allLimit the number of users with Network Administrator privileges to only those who absolutely require them.
Implement Network Segmentation
allIsolate FMC management interfaces from general user networks to reduce attack surface.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls and monitor for unusual backup initiation activities
- Deploy network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for command injection patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check FMC version via web interface: System > Updates > Version Information. If version is earlier than 7.4.1.2, device is vulnerable.Check Version:
Via FMC CLI: show version | include VersionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm version is 7.4.1.2 or later and test cluster backup functionality to ensure it works without issues.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual cluster backup initiation patterns
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by backup requests
- Commands with unusual parameters in backup-related logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to backup endpoints with suspicious parameters
- Unusual outbound connections from FMC device following backup operations
SIEM Query:
source="fmc_logs" AND (event_type="backup_initiated" AND user NOT IN ["expected_users"]) OR (event_type="command_execution" AND process="backup")