Summary

• A vulnerability in the key-based SSH authentication mechanism of Cisco Policy Suite could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to log in to an affected system as the root user.

  This vulnerability is due to a weakness in the SSH subsystem of an affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by connecting to an affected device through SSH. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to log in to an affected system as the root user.

  Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

  This advisory is available at the following link:
  https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-cps-static-key-JmS92hNv

Affected Products

• Vulnerable Products

  This vulnerability affects Cisco Policy Suite.

  For information about which Cisco software releases are vulnerable, see the Fixed Software section of this advisory.

  Products Confirmed Not Vulnerable

  Only products listed in the Vulnerable Products section of this advisory are known to be affected by this vulnerability.

Workarounds

• There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Fixed Software

• Cisco has released free software updates that address the vulnerability described in this advisory. Customers with service contracts that entitle them to regular software updates should obtain security fixes through their usual update channels.

  Customers may only install and expect support for software versions and feature sets for which they have purchased a license. By installing, downloading, accessing, or otherwise using such software upgrades, customers agree to follow the terms of the Cisco software license:
  https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/end-user-license-agreement.html

  Additionally, customers may only download software for which they have a valid license, procured from Cisco directly, or through a Cisco authorized reseller or partner. In most cases this will be a maintenance upgrade to software that was previously purchased. Free security software updates do not entitle customers to a new software license, additional software feature sets, or major revision upgrades.

  The Cisco Support and Downloads page on Cisco.com provides information about licensing and downloads. This page can also display customer device support coverage for customers who use the My Devices tool.

  When considering software upgrades, customers are advised to regularly consult the advisories for Cisco products, which are available from the Cisco Security Advisories page, to determine exposure and a complete upgrade solution.

  In all cases, customers should ensure that the devices to be upgraded contain sufficient memory and confirm that current hardware and software configurations will continue to be supported properly by the new release. If the information is not clear, customers are advised to contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) or their contracted maintenance providers.

  Customers Without Service Contracts

  Customers who purchase directly from Cisco but do not hold a Cisco service contract and customers who make purchases through third-party vendors but are unsuccessful in obtaining fixed software through their point of sale should obtain upgrades by contacting the Cisco TAC: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/web/tsd-cisco-worldwide-contacts.html

  Customers should have the product serial number available and be prepared to provide the URL of this advisory as evidence of entitlement to a free upgrade.

  Fixed Releases

  Customers are advised to take appropriate actions as indicated in the following table:

  Cisco Policy Suite Software Release	Vulnerability status	Remediation action
  Earlier than 20.2.0	Vulnerable	Upgrade to 21.1.0.
  20.2.0	Vulnerable	Contact TAC to get a patch installed.
  21.1.0	Vulnerable	Change the default SSH keys.
  21.2.0 and later	Not vulnerable	See footnote 1

  1. Releases 21.2.0 and later will automatically create new SSH keys during installation but not during an upgrade. If a device is upgraded from 21.1.0, the keys should still be changed by using the following procedure.

  Change the Default SSH Keys

  To generate new SSH keys and propagate them to all the machines in the deployment, follow these steps:

  Step 1

  To generate new keys, execute the following command on installer VM (Cluster Manager):

  /var/qps/install/current/scripts/bin/support/manage_sshkey.sh --create

  Step 2

  Update keys on CPS VMs and installer VM (Cluster Manager):

  /var/qps/install/current/scripts/bin/support/manage_sshkey.sh --update

  This procedure is documented in CPS Migration and Upgrade Guide, Release 21.1.0.

  The Cisco Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) validates only the affected and fixed release information that is documented in this advisory.

Exploitation and Public Announcements

• The Cisco PSIRT is not aware of any public announcements or malicious use of the vulnerability that is described in this advisory.

Source

• This vulnerability was found during internal security testing.

URL

• https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-cps-static-key-JmS92hNv

Revision History

• Version	Description	Section	Status	Date
  1.1	Updated description of vulnerability.	Summary	Final	2021-NOV-04
  1.0	Initial public release.	-	Final	2021-NOV-03

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