CVE-2018-0147KEV · OVERDUECWE-20

Cisco Secure Access Control System Java Deserialization Vulnerability

Critical · published March 8, 2018

Patch now

Confirmed exploited, and the score agrees

CVSS calls it critical at 9.8. It is confirmed in active exploitation. It sits in the 97.2th percentile for exploit probability.

1651
days past CISA
deadline
CVSS v3.1
9.8
EPSS
18%
Percentile
97.2
In the wild
Confirmed
What it is

🚨 An unauthenticated attacker can send a single crafted Java object to execute arbitrary commands on Cisco ACS devices! 🔥 Imagine a trusted delivery person who can open every door in your building without ever showing ID — that's how this deserialization flaw works, allowing attackers to gain root access without any checks. 📦🔑 An attacker could completely take over the affected device, running any command they wish! This could lead to devastating data breaches or even total control over your network. The consequences are absolutely catastrophic if this vulnerability is exploited! ⚡

Put simply

Imagine a trusted delivery person who can open every door in your building without ever showing ID — that's how this deserialization flaw works, allowing attackers to gain root access without any checks. 📦🔑 This vulnerability lies in the insecure deserialization of user-supplied content by Cisco's Secure Access Control System. Attackers can exploit it by sending a specially crafted serialized Java object that the system will blindly execute with root privileges.

What to do

An attacker could completely take over the affected device, running any command they wish! This could lead to devastating data breaches or even total control over your network. The consequences are absolutely catastrophic if this vulnerability is exploited! ⚡ Immediately patch to Cisco Secure Access Control System version 5.8 patch 9 or later. Additionally, audit your systems to ensure they are not exposed to unauthorized access and consider implementing more strict application security practices. 🛡️ You've got this! Let’s lock down your systems and make them solid as a rock! 💪😊

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
9.8 · CRITICAL
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.18212 · 97.2th percentile
Weakness
CWE-20 · Improper Input Validation
Published
2018-03-08T07:00Z
KEV added
2022-03-25 · due 2022-04-15
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 25 MAR 00:00Z
    Added to CISA KEV — remediate by Apr 15
    kev
  • 08 MAR 07:00Z
    A vulnerability in Java deserialization used by Cisco Secure Access Control System (ACS) prior to release 5.8 patch 9 could allow an unauthenticated, remote…
    cvelistv5