Summary

• Multiple vulnerabilities in the Python interpreter of Cisco NX-OS Software could allow an authenticated, low-privileged, local attacker to escape the Python sandbox and gain unauthorized access to the underlying operating system of the device.

  These vulnerabilities are due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by manipulating specific functions within the Python interpreter. A successful exploit could allow an attacker to escape the Python sandbox and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system with the privileges of the authenticated user.

  Note: An attacker must be authenticated with Python execution privileges to exploit these vulnerabilities. For more information regarding Python execution privileges, see product-specific documentation, such as the Cisco NX-OS Security with Python section of the Cisco Nexus 9000 Series NX-OS Programmability Guide.

  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-psbe-ce-YvbTn5du

  This advisory is part of the August 2024 Cisco FXOS and NX-OS Software Security Advisory Bundled Publication. For a complete list of the advisories and links to them, see Cisco Event Response: August 2024 Semiannual Cisco FXOS and NX-OS Software Security Advisory Bundled Publication.

Affected Products

• Vulnerable Products

  At the time of publication, these vulnerabilities affected the following Cisco products if they were running a vulnerable release of Cisco NX-OS Software:

  • MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Switches (CSCwi52362, CSCwi52380, CSCwi52460)
  • Nexus 3000 Series Switches (CSCwh77779, CSCwh77780, CSCwh77781)
  • Nexus 5500 Platform Switches (CSCwi52365, CSCwi52383)
  • Nexus 5600 Platform Switches (CSCwi52365, CSCwi52383)
  • Nexus 6000 Series Switches (CSCwi52365, CSCwi52383)
  • Nexus 7000 Series Switches (CSCwi52363, CSCwi52461)
  • Nexus 9000 Series Switches in standalone NX-OS mode (CSCwh77779, CSCwh77780, CSCwh77781)

  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 these vulnerabilities do not affect the following Cisco products:

  • Firepower 1000 Series
  • Firepower 2100 Series
  • Firepower 4100 Series
  • Firepower 9300 Security Appliances
  • Nexus 1000 Virtual Edge for VMware vSphere
  • Nexus 1000V Switch for VMware vSphere
  • Nexus 9000 Series Fabric Switches in ACI mode
  • Secure Firewall 3100 Series
  • Secure Firewall 4200 Series
  • UCS 6200 Series Fabric Interconnects
  • UCS 6300 Series Fabric Interconnects
  • UCS 6400 Series Fabric Interconnects
  • UCS 6500 Series Fabric Interconnects

Workarounds

• There are no workarounds that address these vulnerabilities.

Fixed Software

• 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.

  Cisco NX-OS Software

  To help customers determine their exposure to vulnerabilities in Cisco NX-OS Software, Cisco provides the Cisco Software Checker. This tool identifies any Cisco security advisories that impact a specific software release and the earliest release that fixes the vulnerabilities that are described in each advisory (“First Fixed”). If applicable, the tool also returns the earliest release that fixes all the vulnerabilities described in all the advisories that the Software Checker identifies (“Combined First Fixed”).

  To use the tool, go to the Cisco Software Checker page and follow the instructions. Alternatively, use the following form to search for vulnerabilities that affect a specific software release. To use the form, follow these steps:

  1. Choose which advisories the tool will search-only this advisory, only advisories with a Critical or High Security Impact Rating (SIR), or all advisories.
  2. Choose the appropriate software.
  3. Choose the appropriate platform.
  4. Enter a release number-for example, 7.0(3)I7(5) for Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches or 14.0(1h) for Cisco NX-OS Software in ACI mode.
  5. Click Check.

  
  

  Only this advisory All Critical and High advisories All advisories Cisco NX-OS Software Cisco NX-OS Software in ACI Mode Any Platform MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Switches Nexus 1000V Series Switches Nexus 3000 Series Switches Nexus 5000 Series Switches Nexus 6000 Series Switches Nexus 7000 Series Switches Nexus 9000 Series Switches

  
  

  Cisco Nexus 3000 and 9000 Series Switches SMUs

  Cisco has released the following SMU to address these vulnerabilities for Cisco NX-OS Software Release 9.3(13). Customers can download SMUs from the Software Center on Cisco.com. Other fixed software releases can found through the Cisco Software Checker, as described in the preceding section.

  Cisco NX-OS Software Release	Platform	SMU Name
  9.3(13)	Nexus 3000 and 9000 Series Switches	nxos.CSCwh77779-n9k_ALL-1.0.0-9.3.13.lib32_n9000.rpm

  Note: The SMU listed in the preceding table combines fixes for the three vulnerabilities that affect Cisco Nexus 3000 and 9000 Series Switches, CSCwh77779, CSCwh77780, and CSCwh77781.

  For details about downloading and installing SMUs on Cisco NX-OS Software for Cisco Nexus 3000 and 9000 Series Switches, see the "Performing Software Maintenance Upgrades" section of the Cisco Nexus 3000 Series NX-OS System Management Configuration Guide and Cisco Nexus 9000 Series NX-OS System Management Configuration Guide.

  Additional Resources

  For help determining the best Cisco NX-OS Software release for a Cisco Nexus Switch, see the following Recommended Releases documents. If a security advisory recommends a later release, Cisco recommends following the advisory guidance.

  Cisco MDS Series Switches
  Cisco Nexus 1000V for VMware Switch
  Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches
  Cisco Nexus 5500 Platform Switches
  Cisco Nexus 5600 Platform Switches
  Cisco Nexus 6000 Series Switches
  Cisco Nexus 7000 Series Switches
  Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches
  Cisco Nexus 9000 Series ACI-Mode Switches

  To determine the best release for Cisco UCS Software, see the Recommended Releases documents in the release notes for the device.

Exploitation and Public Announcements

• The Cisco Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) is not aware of any public announcements or malicious use of the vulnerabilities that are described in this advisory.

Source

• These vulnerabilities were found during internal security testing by Chris Dean of the Cisco Advanced Security Initiatives Group (ASIG).

URL

• https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-nxos-psbe-ce-YvbTn5du

Revision History

• Version	Description	Section	Status	Date
  1.0	Initial public release.	-	Final	2024-AUG-28

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