Cyber Resilience

CVE-2024-20448

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller ≤ 12.2.2

Published
02 October 2024
Modified
08 October 2024
Patch / advisory
View advisory
CVSS Score v3.1 6.3
Click a component to see what it means
Raw vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N
EPSS Score 0.0012 2th percentile
Risk Priority 45 floored blend · peak EPSS

Summary

CVE-2024-20448 is a medium-severity Cleartext Storage in a File or on Disk (CWE-313) vulnerability in Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller. Its CVSS base score is 6.3 (Medium).

Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Credentials In Files (T1552.001); ranked at the 2th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

The strongest mitigations our analysis identified map to SC-28 (Protection of Information at Rest) — see the control section below for these in your framework.

OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)

A06:2025 Insecure Design

EU & UK References

Vulnerability Data

A vulnerability in the Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (NDFC) software, formerly Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM), could allow an attacker with access to a backup file to view sensitive information. This vulnerability is due to the improper storage…

more

of sensitive information within config only and full backup files. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by parsing the contents of a backup file that is generated from an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to access sensitive information, including NDFC-connected device credentials, the NDFC site manager private key, and the scheduled backup file encryption key.

CWE(s)
CWE-313CWE-312

Related Threats

MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques

T1552.001 Credentials In Files Credential Access
Adversaries may search local file systems and remote file shares for files containing insecurely stored credentials.
attack.mitre.org →
T1552.004 Private Keys Credential Access
Adversaries may search for private key certificate files on compromised systems for insecurely stored credentials.
attack.mitre.org →
T1005 Data from Local System Collection
Adversaries may search local system sources, such as file systems, configuration files, local databases, virtual machine files, or process memory, to find files of interest and sensitive data prior to Exfiltration.
attack.mitre.org →
T1552 Unsecured Credentials Credential Access
Adversaries may search compromised systems to find and obtain insecurely stored credentials.
attack.mitre.org →
T1552.002 Credentials in Registry Credential Access
Adversaries may search the Registry on compromised systems for insecurely stored credentials.
attack.mitre.org →
T1552.006 Group Policy Preferences Credential Access
Adversaries may attempt to find unsecured credentials in Group Policy Preferences (GPP).
attack.mitre.org →
Derived from this CVE’s CWE(s) via the direct CWE→ATT&CK cross-walk.

CVEs Like This One

CVE-2024-20449Same product: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller
CVE-2024-20444Same product: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller
CVE-2024-20536Same product: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller
CVE-2024-20432Same product: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller
CVE-2024-20348Same product: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller
CVE-2023-20059Same vendor: Cisco
CVE-2024-20441Same product: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller
CVE-2024-20438Same product: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller
CVE-2024-20442Same product: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller
CVE-2024-20477Same product: Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller

Affected Assets

cisco
nexus dashboard fabric controller
≤ 12.2.2

Mitigating Controls

Control response

Prevent
Stop it (NIST 800-53)

—

Detect
Catch it (NIST detect / respond)

—

Harden
Shrink the surface (DISA STIG)
  • 12 hardening rules · 6 OS baselines
Validate
Prove the fix (OWASP ASVS)
  • V14.2.8

Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI

SC-28 Protection of Information at Rest good match

SC-28 requires cryptographic or equivalent protection of sensitive information at rest, directly eliminating cleartext file/disk storage.

Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

PR.DS-01 full match
prevents

Encryption of data-at-rest directly prevents cleartext storage while the control also addresses integrity and availability.

Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI

Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.

A.8.24 Use of cryptography full match
prevents

Cryptography control directly mandates encryption of sensitive data at rest.

A.5.12 Classification of information partial match
prevents

Classification identifies sensitive data that must not be stored in cleartext.

A.5.14 Information transfer partial match
degrades

Transfer policies can require encryption, indirectly reducing cleartext storage risk.

A.7.14 Secure disposal or re-use of equipment partial match
mitigates

Requiring non-standard deletion or physical destruction of media ensures that sensitive information is not left in cleartext on discarded or repurposed equipment.

A.7.9 Security of assets off-premises partial match
mitigates

Secure deletion of data before device transfer prevents residual sensitive information from remaining in cleartext on storage media that leave organizational control.

A.8.10 Information deletion partial match
degrades

Deletion policies help remove sensitive cleartext files when no longer needed.

Hardening callouts derived

Configuration rules from DISA STIG baselines that bear on weaknesses of the type cited by this CVE. Each rule is shown with the relationship its mapping actually records, against the CWE it was authored against. Derived via CVE→CWE over `controls_xwalks` (authoritative rows only; rows rated `none` are excluded).

Oracle Linux 8 (1 rule)
  • V-248525 All OL 8 local disk partitions must implement cryptographic mechanisms to prevent unauthorized disclosure or modification of all information that requires at-rest protection. prevents CWE-312, CWE-313
Oracle Linux 9 (1 rule)
  • V-271756 OL 9 local disk partitions must implement cryptographic mechanisms to prevent unauthorized disclosure or modification of all information that requires at rest protection. prevents CWE-312, CWE-313
RHEL 8 (1 rule)
  • V-230224 All RHEL 8 local disk partitions must implement cryptographic mechanisms to prevent unauthorized disclosure or modification of all information that requires at rest protection. prevents CWE-312, CWE-313
RHEL 9 (1 rule)
  • V-257879 RHEL 9 local disk partitions must implement cryptographic mechanisms to prevent unauthorized disclosure or modification of all information that requires at rest protection. prevents CWE-313

References