Summary
A vulnerability in the Cisco REST API virtual service container for Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to bypass authentication on the managed Cisco IOS XE device.
The vulnerability is due to an improper check performed by the area of code that manages the REST API authentication service. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by submitting malicious HTTP requests to the targeted device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to obtain the token-idof an authenticated user. This token-id could be used to bypass authentication and execute privileged actions through the interface of the REST API virtual service container on the affected Cisco IOS XE device.
The REST API interface is not enabled by default and must be installed and activated separately on IOS XE devices. See the
Details section for more information.
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:
Cisco REST API Container for IOS XE Software Authentication Bypass Vulnerability
Affected Products
This vulnerability affects Cisco devices that are configured to use a vulnerable version of Cisco REST API virtual service container. At the time of publication, this vulnerability affected the following products:
- Cisco 4000 Series Integrated Services Routers
- Cisco ASR 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers
- Cisco Cloud Services Router 1000V Series
- Cisco Integrated Services Virtual Router
Vulnerable Products
This vulnerability resides in the Cisco REST API virtual service container; however, it affects devices running Cisco IOS XE Software when exploited. If a vulnerable release of the Cisco REST API virtual service container is enabled, the underlying Cisco IOS XE device is affected.
This vulnerability affects Cisco devices when all of the following conditions are met:
- The device runs an affected Cisco IOS XE Software release.
- The device has an installed and enabled affected version of the Cisco REST API virtual service container.
Cisco has released a fixed version of the REST API virtual service container. Cisco has also released a hardened Cisco IOS XE Software release that prevents installation or activation of a vulnerable container on a device. If the device was already configured with an active vulnerable container, the IOS XE Software upgrade will deactivate the container, making the device not vulnerable. In that case, to restore the REST API functionality, customers should upgrade the Cisco REST API virtual service container to a fixed software release.
