CVE-2023-20031:SSL/TLS Certificate Handling Vulnerability in Cisco Firepower Threat Defense with Snort 3 Detection Engine

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A vulnerability exists in the SSL/TLS certificate handling mechanism of the Snort 3 Detection Engine when integrated with Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software. Due to a logic error that occurs when an SSL/TLS certificate under load is accessed during SSL connection initiation, an unauthenticated remote attacker could cause the Snort 3 detection engine to restart. This can be triggered under specific time-based constraints by sending a high rate of SSL/TLS connection requests to be inspected by the affected device. A successful exploit could result in either a security bypass or a denial of service condition, depending on the device configuration. The Snort detection engine will automatically restart without requiring manual intervention.

Overview

CVE-2023-20031 affects the Snort 3 Detection Engine integration with Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software. The vulnerability stems from a logic error in how SSL/TLS certificates are handled during high-load conditions. When a certificate is accessed during SSL connection initiation while under significant load, the timing conditions can trigger a fault in the system. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by deliberately sending numerous SSL/TLS connection requests to overwhelm the inspection mechanism. The impact varies based on configuration - either allowing traffic to bypass security inspection temporarily or causing a denial of service by disrupting traffic flow until the engine restarts. While the Snort detection engine will automatically recover, the temporary disruption or security bypass presents a significant security concern for affected deployments.

Remediation

Organizations should apply the appropriate patches or updates as provided by Cisco in their security advisory. Until patches can be applied, consider implementing the following mitigations:

  1. Monitor Snort 3 detection engine for unexpected restarts
  2. Implement rate limiting for SSL/TLS connections at the network perimeter if possible
  3. Consider implementing additional network segmentation to limit exposure
  4. Review Cisco's advisory (cisco-sa-ftd-snort3-8U4HHxH8) for specific version information and detailed mitigation steps
  5. After patching, verify proper operation of the Snort 3 detection engine

References

  1. Cisco Security Advisory: https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ftd-snort3-8U4HHxH8
  2. MITRE CVE Entry: CVE-2023-20031
  3. Cisco PSIRT Contact: psirt@cisco.com

Industry ExposureMost to least
This section illustrates the prevalence of a specific Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) across various industries based on customer reports. The ranking displays industries from the most to least affected by this particular vulnerability, offering valuable insight into where this CVE has been most frequently observed. This information can help organizations within these sectors prioritize their security efforts, understand their relative risk exposure compared to their peers, and focus remediation strategies where they are most needed. By understanding the industry-specific impact, organizations can make more informed decisions regarding patching, resource allocation, and overall risk management related to this CVE.

  1. Management of Companies & Enterprises
    Management of Companies & Enterprises
  2. Accommodation & Food Services
    Accommodation & Food Services
  3. Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
    Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
  4. Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
    Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
  5. Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
    Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
  6. Construction
    Construction
  7. Educational Services
    Educational Services
  8. Finance and Insurance
    Finance and Insurance
  9. Health Care & Social Assistance
    Health Care & Social Assistance
  10. Information
    Information
  11. Manufacturing
    Manufacturing
  12. Mining
    Mining
  13. Other Services (except Public Administration)
    Other Services (except Public Administration)
  14. Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
    Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
  15. Public Administration
    Public Administration
  16. Real Estate Rental & Leasing
    Real Estate Rental & Leasing
  17. Retail Trade
    Retail Trade
  18. Transportation & Warehousing
    Transportation & Warehousing
  19. Utilities
    Utilities
  20. Wholesale Trade
    Wholesale Trade

Focus on What Matters

  1. See Everything.
  2. Identify True Risk.
  3. Proactively Mitigate Threats.

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