CISA Warns of Hackers Exploiting Legacy Cisco Smart Install Feature
Aug 09, 2024
Vulnerability / Network Security
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has disclosed that threat actors are abusing the legacy Cisco Smart Install ( SMI ) feature with the aim of accessing sensitive data. The agency said it has seen adversaries "acquire system configuration files by leveraging available protocols or software on devices, such as abusing the legacy Cisco Smart Install feature." It also said it continues to observe weak password types used on Cisco network devices, thereby exposing them to password-cracking attacks. Password types refer to algorithms that are used to secure a Cisco device's password within a system configuration file. Threat actors who are able to gain access to the device in this manner would be able to easily access system configuration files, facilitating a deeper compromise of the victim networks. "Organizations must ensure all passwords on network devices are stored using a sufficient level of protection," CISA said, adding it re...