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A simple command allows the CIA to commandeer vulnerable Cisco switches

arstechnica.com

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Re: A simple command allows the CIA to commandeer vulnerable Cisco switches

#3
Critical vulnerabilities in Cisco products that the CIA can exploit?

"Cisco vice president of services Mike Quinn, a former CIA operations officer, ..." [0]

"... Cisco's recent acquisition of In-Q-Tel-backed security company ThreatGRID ..." [1]

"After retiring with 30+ years of service from the Agency, I spent several years as adviser to Cisco System’s Chief Security Officer, and I found Cisco was doing great work; they’re one of the backbones of the internet." [2]

Imagine that.

[0] http://www.networkworld.com/article/2223473/data-center/cisc...

[1] http://www.networkworld.com/article/2358453/security/cisco-p...

[2] https://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2012/10/12/what-do-for...

Re: A simple command allows the CIA to commandeer vulnerable Cisco switches

#7
ArsTechnica article as of this posting:

>Cisco Systems said that more than 300 models of switches it sells contain a critical vulnerability that allows the CIA to use a simple command to remotely execute malicious code that takes full control of the devices. There currently is no fix.

Text on Cisco Support Site linked on ArsTechnica:

>This vulnerability affects the following Cisco devices when running a vulnerable Cisco IOS software release and configured to accept incoming Telnet connections: [Models list]

Put aside for a moment the 'desireability' of the outcome, but from what I gather on Cisco's site, by turning off incoming Telnet connections, the vulnerability can be fixed. I'm rather confused about this.

Re: A simple command allows the CIA to commandeer vulnerable Cisco switches

#8

ArsTechnica article as of this posting: > Cisco Systems said that more than 300 models of switches it sells contain a critical vulnerability that allows the CIA to use a simple command to remotely execute malicious code that takes full control of the devices. There currently is no fix. Text on Cisco Support Site linked on ArsTechnica: > This vulnerability affects the following Cisco devices when running a vulnerable…

Disabling the service is a way to protect you from the vulnerability, but it is not a fix for the vulnerability. A fix for the vulnerability would allow you to continue using the service.

Re: A simple command allows the CIA to commandeer vulnerable Cisco switches

#10
post #8

ArsTechnica article as of this posting: > Cisco Systems said that more than 300 models of switches it sells contain a critical vulnerability that allows the CIA to use a simple command to remotely execute malicious code that takes full control of the devices. There currently is no fix. Text on Cisco Support Site linked on ArsTechnica: > This vulnerability affects the following Cisco devices when running a vulnerable…

Disabling the service is a way to protect you from the vulnerability, but it is not a fix for the vulnerability. A fix for the vulnerability would allow you to continue using the service.

Right? We have issued a fix for the router - simply unplug all network cables from the router, and you are no longer vulnerable.
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