Cisco Releases Semiannual Batch of Security Updates for IOS

Cisco released its semiannual IOS Software Security Advisory Bundled Publication on Wednesday.

The latest release includes eight Security Advisories that address ten different (CVE) vulnerabilities in Cisco’s IOS Software. Eight of the ten vulnerabilities addressed have a CVSS Base Score of 7.8, while two have a score of 7.1.

Exploits of the individual vulnerabilities could result in a denial of service (DoS) condition, interface queue wedge, or a device reload, Cisco said.

One vulnerability in the Zone-Based Firewall (ZBFW) component of IOS could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause an affected device to hang or reload.  Several other vulnerabilities are addressed that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service condition on a targeted device.

Cisco customers can use the IOS Software Checker to determine whether a given IOS release is exposed to any of these (or other) vulnerabilities. However, the tool only checks Cisco IOS Software Releases against published Cisco Security Advisories and doesn’t account for enabled or disabled features or third-party advisories.

Cisco’s IOS Software is network infrastructure software that powers systems ranging from small home office routers to the core systems of the world’s largest service provider networks. According to the networking giant, its IOS Software is the most widely used network infrastructure software in the world.

Cisco said that customers whose Cisco products are provided or maintained through prior or existing agreements with third-party support organizations, such as Cisco Partners, authorized resellers, or service providers, should contact that support organization for guidance and assistance with the appropriate course of action in regards to any Cisco Security Advisory.

US-CERT advised users and administrators to review the Cisco Security Advisory and apply any necessary updates or workarounds to help mitigate these vulnerabilities.