Cisco IOS and Cisco IOS XE devices contain an issue that could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to access sensitive information on a targeted device. Updates are not available.
Description
Cisco IOS and Cisco IOS XE devices contain an issue that could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to access sensitive information on a targeted device.
The issue is due to an implementation flaw in the affected software. The affected software implements an algorithm to hash user-provided plaintext passwords. This algorithm is called Type 4, and a password hashed using this algorithm is referred to as a Type 4password. The algorithm design called for using Password-Based Key Derivation Function version 2 (PBKDF2), as described in RFC 2898 section 5.1, with the following input values:
Hash algorithm = SHA-256
Password = the user-provided plaintext password
Salt = 80 bits (generated by calling a cryptographically secure random number generator)
Iteration count = 1,000 (one thousand)
Due to an implementation issue, the Type 4 password algorithm does not use PBKDF2 and does not use a salt, but instead performs a single iteration of SHA-256 over the user-provided plaintext password. This approach causes a Type 4 password to be less resilient to brute-force attacks.
These issues do not apply to devices running a Cisco IOS or Cisco IOS XE release without support forType 4 passwords.
An authenticated, remote attacker could exploit the issue by logging in to an affected device and performing a brute-force attack. A successful attack could allow the attacker to access sensitive information on a targeted device.
Functional code that exploits the issue is publicly available.
Cisco has confirmed the issue in security response cisco-sr-20130318-type4; however software updates are not available.
Patches/Software
Software updates are not available.
Impact
An authenticated, remote attacker could exploit the issue to access sensitive information on a targeted device.
Safeguards
Administrators are advised to contact the vendor regarding future updates and releases.
Administrators are advised to replace any Type 4 passwords with a Type 5 password.
Administrators may consider using IP-based access control lists (ACLs) to allow only trusted systems to access the affected systems.
Administrators can help protect affected systems from external attacks by using a solid firewall strategy.
Administrators are advised to monitor affected systems.
The security vulnerability applies to the following combinations of products.
Primary Products:
IntelliShield
Security Issue Alert
Original Release Base
Associated Products:
N/A
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