How to remediate – Unsupported Cisco MXP Series Device

1. Introduction

The Unsupported Cisco MXP Series Device vulnerability means that your Cisco MXP series device no longer receives security updates from Cisco. This is a high severity issue because it leaves systems open to known and future exploits without any official fixes being released. Systems commonly affected are older branch office routers and firewalls running the MXP software. A successful attack could compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of network traffic passing through the device.

2. Technical Explanation

Cisco has ended support for all devices in the MXP series. This means no further security patches will be developed or released. Attackers can exploit known vulnerabilities without fear of being mitigated by vendor updates. CVE-2014-3362 is a documented example affecting this product line, though many other issues may exist. An attacker could potentially gain remote code execution on the device if it’s exposed to the internet and vulnerable.

• Root cause: Cisco no longer provides security updates for MXP series devices.
• Exploit mechanism: Attackers can use publicly available exploits targeting known vulnerabilities in the unsupported software. For example, CVE-2014-3362 allows remote code execution via a crafted packet.
• Scope: All Cisco MXP series devices are affected.

3. Detection and Assessment

Confirming vulnerability involves identifying if you have an unsupported MXP device on your network. A quick check is to determine the software version, followed by verifying support status with Cisco.

• Quick checks: Use the command `show version` via SSH or the web interface to identify the model and software version.
• Scanning: Nessus vulnerability ID 4c42f192 can detect unsupported MXP devices. This is an example only, other scanners may also provide detection.
• Logs and evidence: Check device logs for any references to end-of-life or support notifications. Specific log paths will vary depending on the device configuration.

show version

4. Solution / Remediation Steps

The only effective solution is to replace unsupported devices with supported models. This process requires careful planning and execution.

4.1 Preparation

• Stop network services that rely on the MXP device during replacement. A roll back plan is to restore the previous configuration if issues arise.
• Change windows may be needed, and approval from network management is recommended.

4.2 Implementation

1. Step 1: Order a supported Cisco router or firewall model that meets your requirements.
2. Step 2: Configure the new device with the necessary settings.
3. Step 3: Migrate network configurations from the old MXP device to the new one.
4. Step 4: Test connectivity and functionality on the new device.
5. Step 5: Remove the unsupported MXP device from the network.

4.3 Config or Code Example

Before

!Example configuration snippet on MXP device (version may vary)
interface GigabitEthernet0/0
 ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
 no shutdown

After

!Example configuration snippet on supported device (version may vary)
interface GigabitEthernet0/0
 ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
 no shutdown

4.4 Security Practices Relevant to This Vulnerability

While this vulnerability is directly related to end-of-life, several security practices can help prevent similar issues. For example, maintaining an accurate asset inventory and a strict patch cadence will reduce the risk of running unsupported software.

• Practice 1: Asset management – knowing what devices are on your network and their support status is crucial.
• Practice 2: Patch management – regularly updating systems reduces exposure to known vulnerabilities.

4.5 Automation (Optional)

Automation may be possible using configuration management tools, but it’s unlikely to directly address this issue without device replacement.

# Example Ansible playbook snippet (requires adaptation for your environment)
- name: Check Cisco MXP version
  ios_command:
    commands: show version
  register: version_output
- debug:
    var: version_output.stdout_lines

5. Verification / Validation

Confirm the fix by verifying that the new device is functioning correctly and no longer running MXP software. Re-run the earlier detection methods to confirm removal of the unsupported device.

• Post-fix check: Use `show version` on the replacement device. Expected output should show a supported Cisco model and software version.
• Re-test: Run Nessus vulnerability ID 4c42f192 again. It should no longer report the unsupported MXP device.
• Smoke test: Verify basic network connectivity (ping, DNS resolution) from systems using the new device.
• Monitoring: Monitor network logs for any unexpected traffic patterns or errors related to the replacement device.

show version

6. Preventive Measures and Monitoring

Preventing this issue involves proactive asset management and lifecycle planning. For example, update your security baseline to include supported hardware models and a regular review cycle.

• Baselines: Update your network device baseline to only allow supported Cisco models.
• Pipelines: Integrate checks into your deployment process to prevent unsupported devices from being added to the network.
• Asset and patch process: Implement a quarterly asset review to identify end-of-life or end-of-support devices.

7. Risks, Side Effects, and Roll Back

Replacing hardware can introduce risks such as service downtime and configuration errors. A roll back plan involves restoring the previous MXP device configuration if issues arise.

• Risk or side effect 1: Service interruption during replacement. Mitigation is to schedule changes during off-peak hours.
• Roll back: 1) Reconnect the old MXP device. 2) Restore the previous configuration. 3) Verify network connectivity.

8. References and Resources

• Vendor advisory or bulletin: http://www.nessus.org/u?4c42f192
• NVD or CVE entry: CVE-2014-3362
• Product or platform documentation relevant to the fix: No specific documentation available for end of life, refer to Cisco support website.