CVE-2019-1605

Cisco NX-OS Software NX-API Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability

HIGH

7.8

CVSS Score

Published: March 8, 2019 at 08:00 PM UTC

Updated: June 17, 2026 at 02:28 AM UTC

13 products affected across 1 vendorNx OSNexus 7000Nexus 7700

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Severity

HIGH7.8

Exploit prediction

EPSS 0.5%

SSVC

No known exploit

Description

A vulnerability in the NX-API feature of Cisco NX-OS Software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to execute arbitrary code as root. The vulnerability is due to incorrect input validation in the NX-API feature. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP or HTTPS request to an internal service on an affected device that has the NX-API feature enabled. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause a buffer overflow and execute arbitrary code as root. Note: The NX-API feature is disabled by default. MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Switches are affected in versions prior to 8.1(1). Nexus 3000 Series Switches are affected in versions prior to 7.0(3)I4(8) and 7.0(3)I7(1). Nexus 3500 Platform Switches are affected in versions prior to 6.0(2)A8(8). Nexus 3600 Platform Switches are affected in versions prior to 7.0(3)F3(5). Nexus 2000, 5500, 5600, and 6000 Series Switches are affected in versions prior to 7.3(2)N1(1). Nexus 7000 and 7700 Series Switches are affected in versions prior to 7.3(3)D1(1). Nexus 9000 Series Switches in Standalone NX-OS Mode are affected in versions prior to 7.0(3)I4(8) and 7.0(3)I7(1). Nexus 9500 R-Series Line Cards and Fabric Modules are affected in versions prior to 7.0(3)F3(5).

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

Nx OS · Cisconpm

95%

v < 6.0(2)a8(8)v < 7.0(3)i4(8)7.0(3)f1 ≤ v < 7.0(3)f3(5)7.0(3)f3 ≤ v < 7.0(3)f3(5)7.0(3)i5 ≤ v < 7.0(3)i7(1)7.2 ≤ v < 7.3(3)d1(1)7.3 ≤ v < 7.3(2)n1(1)7.3 ≤ v < 8.1(1)

Affected range stops below 6.0(2)a8(8), so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Affected range stops below 7.0(3)f3(5), so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Affected range stops below 7.0(3)i4(8), so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Affected range stops below 7.0(3)i7(1), so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Affected range stops below 7.3(2)n1(1), so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Affected range stops below 7.3(3)d1(1), so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Affected range stops below 8.1(1), so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

cisco-mds-9000 (environment) · cisco-nexus-2000 (environment) · cisco-nexus-3000 (environment) · cisco-nexus-3500 (environment) · cisco-nexus-3600 (environment) · cisco-nexus-5500 (environment) · cisco-nexus-5600 (environment) · cisco-nexus-6000 (environment) · cisco-nexus-7000 (environment) · cisco-nexus-7700 (environment) · cisco-nexus-9000 (environment) · cisco-nexus-9500 (environment)

Mds 9000 · Cisco

60%

v < 8.1(1)

Affected range stops below 8.1(1), so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Nexus 2000 · Cisco

60%

v < 7.3(2)N1(1)

Affected range stops below 7.3(2)N1(1), so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Nexus 3000 · Cisco

60%

v < 7.0(3)I4(8)v < 7.0(3)I7(1)

Affected range stops below 7.0(3)I4(8), so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Affected range stops below 7.0(3)I7(1), so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Nexus 3500 · Cisco

60%

v < 6.0(2)A8(8)

Affected range stops below 6.0(2)A8(8), so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Nexus 3600 · Cisco

60%

v < 7.0(3)F3(5)

Affected range stops below 7.0(3)F3(5), so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Nexus 5500 · Cisco

60%

v < 7.3(2)N1(1)

Affected range stops below 7.3(2)N1(1), so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Nexus 5600 · Cisco

60%

v < 7.3(2)N1(1)

Affected range stops below 7.3(2)N1(1), so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Nexus 6000 · Cisco

60%

v < 7.3(2)N1(1)

Affected range stops below 7.3(2)N1(1), so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Nexus 7000 · Cisco

60%

v < 7.3(3)D1(1)

Affected range stops below 7.3(3)D1(1), so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet. What the record does show:

Patch and advisory references

https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20190306-nxos-api-ex

References (2)

VDB Entryx_refsource_BIDThird Party Advisory

Source: [email protected]

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/107313

Vendor Advisoryx_refsource_CISCOPatch

Source: [email protected]

https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20190306-nxos-api-ex

SSVC — Action Prioritization

SSVCNo known exploitNot automatableTotal impact

SSVC signals action urgency (what to patch first), separate from CVSS which measures severity.

CVSS

7.8HIGH[email protected]

Attack Vector: LOCAL
Complexity: LOW
Privileges: LOW
User Interaction: NONE
Scope: UNCHANGED
Confidentiality: HIGH
Integrity: HIGH
Availability: HIGH

Vector?

Quick Info

StatusMODIFIED

CWE

CWE-20CWE-119

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