Cisco Security Advisory
Cisco Email Security Appliance and Cisco Secure Email and Web Manager Vulnerabilities
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CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N/E:X/RL:X/RC:X
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Multiple vulnerabilities in the web UI and CLI of Cisco Email Security Appliance (ESA) and Cisco Secure Email and Web Manager could allow an authenticated attacker to perform injection attacks or elevate privileges.
For more information about these vulnerabilities, see the Details section of this advisory.
Cisco has released software updates that address these vulnerabilities. There are no workarounds that address these vulnerabilities.
This advisory is available at the following link:
https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-esa-sma-privesc-9DVkFpJ8
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Vulnerable Products
CVE-2023-20009 affects Cisco ESA and Cisco Secure Email and Web Manager, both virtual and physical appliances, if they are running a vulnerable release of Cisco AsyncOS Software.
CVE-2023-20075 affects Cisco ESA, both virtual and physical appliances, if they are running a vulnerable release of Cisco AsyncOS Software.
For information about which Cisco software releases are vulnerable, see the Fixed Software section of this advisory.
Products Confirmed Not Vulnerable
Only products listed in the Vulnerable Products section of this advisory are known to be affected by these vulnerabilities.
Cisco has confirmed that CVE-2023-20009 does not affect Cisco Secure Web Appliance, formerly Cisco Web Security Appliance (WSA).
Cisco has confirmed that CVE-2023-20075 does not affect Cisco Secure Email and Web Manager or Cisco Secure Web Appliance.
Attention: Simplifying the Cisco portfolio includes the renaming of security products under one brand: Cisco Secure. For more information, see Meet Cisco Secure.
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The vulnerabilities are not dependent on one another. Exploitation of one of the vulnerabilities is not required to exploit the other vulnerability. In addition, a software release that is affected by one of the vulnerabilities may not be affected by the other vulnerability.
Details about the vulnerabilities are as follows:
CVE-2023-20009: Cisco ESA and Cisco Secure Email and Web Manager Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
A vulnerability in the web UI and CLI of Cisco ESA and Cisco Secure Email and Web Manager could allow an authenticated, remote attacker (web UI) or authenticated, local attacker (CLI) to elevate privileges to root. The attacker must have valid user credentials with Operator-level privileges or higher.
This vulnerability is due to the improper validation of an uploaded Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) configuration file. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to the affected device and uploading a specially crafted SNMP configuration file. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to execute commands as root.
Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.
Bug ID(s): CSCwd29901, CSCwd29905
CVE ID: CVE-2023-20009
Security Impact Rating (SIR): High
CVSS Base Score: 6.5
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:NCVE-2023-20075: Cisco ESA Command Injection Vulnerability
A vulnerability in the CLI of Cisco ESA could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary commands on an affected device.
This vulnerability is due to improper input validation in the CLI. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by injecting operating system commands into a legitimate command. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to escape the restricted command prompt and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system as the CLI process user. To successfully exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must have valid user credentials with Operator-level privileges or higher.
Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.
Bug ID(s): CSCwd50043
CVE ID: CVE-2023-20075
Security Impact Rating (SIR): High
CVSS Base Score: 6.0
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
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There are no workarounds that address these vulnerabilities.
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Cisco has released free software updates that address the vulnerabilities described in this advisory. Customers with service contracts that entitle them to regular software updates should obtain security fixes through their usual update channels.
Customers may only install and expect support for software versions and feature sets for which they have purchased a license. By installing, downloading, accessing, or otherwise using such software upgrades, customers agree to follow the terms of the Cisco software license:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/end-user-license-agreement.htmlAdditionally, customers may only download software for which they have a valid license, procured from Cisco directly, or through a Cisco authorized reseller or partner. In most cases this will be a maintenance upgrade to software that was previously purchased. Free security software updates do not entitle customers to a new software license, additional software feature sets, or major revision upgrades.
The Cisco Support and Downloads page on Cisco.com provides information about licensing and downloads. This page can also display customer device support coverage for customers who use the My Devices tool.
When considering software upgrades, customers are advised to regularly consult the advisories for Cisco products, which are available from the Cisco Security Advisories page, to determine exposure and a complete upgrade solution.
In all cases, customers should ensure that the devices to be upgraded contain sufficient memory and confirm that current hardware and software configurations will continue to be supported properly by the new release. If the information is not clear, customers are advised to contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) or their contracted maintenance providers.
Customers Without Service Contracts
Customers who purchase directly from Cisco but do not hold a Cisco service contract and customers who make purchases through third-party vendors but are unsuccessful in obtaining fixed software through their point of sale should obtain upgrades by contacting the Cisco TAC: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/web/tsd-cisco-worldwide-contacts.html
Customers should have the product serial number available and be prepared to provide the URL of this advisory as evidence of entitlement to a free upgrade.
Fixed Releases
Customers are advised to upgrade to an appropriate fixed software release as indicated in the following tables:
ESA
Cisco AsyncOS Software Release First Fixed Release for CVE-2023-20009 First Fixed Release for CVE-2023-20075 Earlier than 12.5 Migrate to a fixed release. Not vulnerable. 12.5 12.5.3-041
12.5.3-041
13.0 13.0.5-007 13.0.5-007 13.5 13.5.4-038 13.5.4-038 14.0 14.2.1-020 14.2.1-020 14.3 14.3.0-0321 14.3.0-0321 1. This release is for cloud-based products.Secure Email and Web Manager
Cisco AsyncOS Software Release First Fixed Release for CVE-2023-20009 Earlier than 12.8 Migrate to a fixed release. 12.8 12.8.1-021 13.8 13.8.1-108 14.0 14.2.0-224 14.31 14.3.0-1201 1. This release is for cloud-based products.In most cases, the software can be upgraded over the network by using the System Upgrade options in the web interface of the appliance. To upgrade a device by using the web interface, do the following:
- Choose System Administration > System Upgrade.
- Click Upgrade Options.
- Choose Download and Install.
- Choose the release to upgrade to.
- In the Upgrade Preparation area, choose the appropriate options.
- Click Proceed to begin the upgrade. A progress bar displays the status of the upgrade.
After the upgrade is complete, the device reboots.
Cisco Cloud Email Security (CES) includes Cisco Email Security Appliance (ESA) and Cisco Secure Email and Web Manager devices as part of the service solution. Cisco provides regular maintenance of the products included in this solution. Customers can also request a software upgrade by contacting Cisco CES support.
The Cisco Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) validates only the affected and fixed release information that is documented in this advisory.
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The Cisco PSIRT is aware that proof-of-concept exploit code is available for the vulnerabilities that are described in this advisory.
The Cisco PSIRT is not aware of any malicious use of the vulnerabilities that are described in this advisory.
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Cisco would like to thank ly1g3 for reporting the vulnerabilities described in CVE-2023-20009 and CVE-2023-20075.
Cisco would also like to thank Álvaro Gutierrez of mnemonic for reporting the vulnerability described in CVE-2023-20075.
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To learn about Cisco security vulnerability disclosure policies and publications, see the Security Vulnerability Policy. This document also contains instructions for obtaining fixed software and receiving security vulnerability information from Cisco.
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Show LessVersion Description Section Status Date 1.1 Updated fixed release information. Fixed Software Final 2023-FEB-16 1.0 Initial public release. - Final 2023-FEB-15
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