Cisco issues free software updates to fix weaknesses in its Enterprise NFV Infrastructure Software. Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in Cisco’s Enterprise NFV Infrastructure Software (NFVIS). The worst of the vulnerabilities could let an attacker escape from the guest virtual machine (VM) to the host machine, Cisco disclosed. The other two problems involve letting a bad actor inject commands that execute at the root level and allowing a remote attacker to leak system data from the host to the VM. NFVIS is Linux-based infrastructure software designed to help enterprises and service providers to deploy virtualized network functions, such as a virtual router, firewall and WAN acceleration, Cisco stated. The critical vulnerability – with a CVSS score of 9.9 out of 10 – could allow an attacker to send an API call from a VM that will execute with root-level privileges on the NFVIS host. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to completely compromise an NFVIS host. Cisco said the vulnerability is due to insufficient guest restrictions. Another exposure in the image registration process of NFVIS could let an unauthenticated, remote attacker inject commands that could then execute at the root level on the NFVIS host during the image registration process. The weakness could convince an administrator on the host machine to install a VM image with crafted metadata that will execute commands with root–level privileges during the VM registration process, Cisco stated. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to inject commands with root-level privileges into the NFVIS host. This vulnerability is due to improper input validation, Cisco stated. The third NFVIS advisory relates to the import function of the software that could let an unauthenticated, remote attacker leak system data from the host to any configured VM. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading an administrator to import a crafted file that will read data from the host and write it to any configured VM. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to access system information from the host, such as files containing user data, on any configured VM, Cisco stated. An attacker who already has authenticated access on a VM that is configured within the NFVIS host could obtain direct access to confidential system information, Cisco stated. This vulnerability is due to the resolution of external entities in the XML parser, Cisco added. Cisco has issued free software updates that address these vulnerabilities and said there are no workarounds. Related content news UK court scrutinises legality of mainframe to cloud application migration technology IBM suing is LzLabs over reverse-engineering claims. By John Leyden Apr 29, 2024 3 mins Mainframes Technology Industry feature 7 tips for deploying Wi-Fi 6E The enhanced version of Wi-Fi 6 uses 6GHz frequency band for dense, high-traffic applications. By Eric Geier Apr 29, 2024 7 mins Wi-Fi Network Security Networking news Sovereign cloud demand booms in APAC amid geopolitical tensions Global spending on sovereign cloud solutions is expected to surpass $250 billion by 2027, according to IDC. By Gyana Swain Apr 29, 2024 4 mins Cloud Computing news Hitachi Vantara launches unified storage platform Virtual Storage Platform One provides on-premises and cloud storage of both structured and unstructured data. By Andy Patrizio Apr 26, 2024 2 mins Enterprise Storage Data Center PODCASTS VIDEOS RESOURCES EVENTS NEWSLETTERS Newsletter Promo Module Test Description for newsletter promo module. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe