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 analysis What is a virtual machine, and why are they so useful? Many of today’s IT innovations have their roots in virtual machines (VM) and their ability to separate software from hardware. By Keith Shaw May 03, 2024 9 mins Virtualization Data Center Networking analysis What is DNS and how does it work? The Domain Name System resolves the names of internet sites with their underlying IP addresses, adding efficiency and security in the process. By Josh Fruhlinger and Keith Shaw May 03, 2024 11 mins Internet Networking news Appeal court overturns $1.6bn mainframe software ‘poaching’ ruling against IBM AT&T ‘independently decided” to replace BMC software, the appeals court found. By John Leyden May 03, 2024 1 min Mainframes news Cisco, Red Hat extend networking, AI integrations Cisco and Red Hat will demo new network product integrations and introduce AI validated designs at the upcoming Red Hat Summit 2024. By Michael Cooney May 03, 2024 4 mins Network Virtualization Cloud Computing Networking PODCASTS VIDEOS RESOURCES EVENTS NEWSLETTERS Newsletter Promo Module Test Description for newsletter promo module. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe