CVE-2024-20444
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated remote attackers with network-admin privileges to execute arbitrary commands on Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (NDFC) systems. Attackers can overwrite sensitive files or cause container restarts leading to denial of service. Organizations using affected NDFC/DCNM versions are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (NDFC)
- Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM)
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise through file overwrite leading to persistent access, data theft, or lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Container restart causing temporary service disruption and potential data corruption from file manipulation.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if network-admin privileges are properly restricted and API endpoints are not exposed.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access with network-admin privileges and knowledge of specific REST API endpoint.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Release 12.3.1 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ndfc-raci-T46k3jnN
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download NDFC release 12.3.1 or later from Cisco Software Center. 2. Backup current configuration. 3. Apply the update following Cisco's upgrade documentation. 4. Verify successful installation and functionality.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Network-Admin Access
allLimit network-admin privileges to only essential personnel and implement role-based access controls.
Network Segmentation
allIsolate NDFC management interfaces from untrusted networks and implement strict firewall rules.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit network-admin privileges to minimal required personnel
- Monitor and audit all API calls to the affected REST endpoint for suspicious activity
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check NDFC version via web interface (System > About) or CLI command 'show version' and verify if version is earlier than 12.3.1Check Version:
show version | include VersionVerify Fix Applied:
After patching, verify version is 12.3.1 or later and test API functionality to ensure no regression issues📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual API calls to REST endpoints
- Multiple container restarts
- File modification events in system directories
Network Indicators:
- Suspicious HTTP POST requests to NDFC REST API endpoints from unauthorized sources
SIEM Query:
source="ndfc-logs" AND (http_method="POST" AND uri_path="/api/endpoint" AND user_role="network-admin")