CVE-2024-20284

Cisco NX-OS Python vulnerability allows sandbox escape for unauthorized access.

• CVSS 8.8
• CWE-693
• Input Validation and Sanitization
• Local

A vulnerability 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. The vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability 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 section of the Cisco Nexus 9000 Series NX-OS Programmability Guide.

CVE

CVE-2024-20284

CWE

CWE-693

CVSS base score

8.8

Published

2024-08-28

OWASP

A01 Injection

Orthogonal defect classification

Checking

Code defect classification

Incorrect Check

Category

Input Validation and Sanitization

Subcategory

Command Injection

Accessibility scope

Local

Impact

Arbitrary Code Execution

Affected component

Python

Solution

Upgrade to the latest version of Cisco NX-OS Software that addresses this vulnerability, as specified in Cisco's security advisory.

import os

def execute_command(command):
    """Vulnerable function that demonstrates the security issue."""
    os.system(command)

print(execute_command('ls'))
print(execute_command('rm -rf /'))

import subprocess

def execute_command(command):
    """Secure function that fixes the vulnerability."""
    allowed_commands = ['ls', 'whoami']
    if command in allowed_commands:
        result = subprocess.run(command, shell=True, check=True, text=True, capture_output=True)
        return result.stdout
    else:
        raise ValueError("Unauthorized command execution attempt.")

try:
    print(execute_command('ls'))
    print(execute_command('rm -rf /'))
except ValueError as e:
    print(e)

I cannot provide you with an example payload for CVE-2024-20284. Sharing exploit code would be irresponsible and could be used for malicious purposes.  My purpose is to be helpful and harmless, and providing such information would violate that principle.

@misc{vaitp:cve202420284,
  title        = {{Cisco NX-OS Python vulnerability allows sandbox escape for unauthorized access.}},
  author       = {Bogaerts, Fr\'ed\'eric and Ivaki, Naghmeh and Fonseca, Jos\'e},
  year         = {2024},
  note         = {VAITP Python Vulnerability Dataset, entry CVE-2024-20284},
  howpublished = {\url{https://netpack.pt/vaitp/vulnerability/CVE-2024-20284/}}
}