Ssh-2.0-cisco-1.25: Vulnerability

A flaw in the SSH server code allows an authenticated remote attacker to cause a device reload. This occurs due to an internal state machine error that can be triggered by specific traffic patterns, leading to a DoS condition .

Data source: Security Operations Center informative findings. Step-by-Step Remediation Playbook

The SSH-2.0-Cisco-1.25 vulnerability is a serious security flaw that can allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to Cisco devices. It is essential to take immediate action to mitigate and remediate this vulnerability to prevent potential exploitation. ssh-2.0-cisco-1.25 vulnerability

IOS 12.2(33) – 12.4(24)T IOS 15.0(1)M – 15.1(3)T

While the banner is a standard part of the SSH handshake, it is frequently flagged by security scanners (like Nessus or Qualys) as "potentially vulnerable" because it reveals that the device is running an older or specific version of the Cisco SSH server. Cisco Community Understanding the Banner : Indicates the device is using SSH Protocol Version 2.0. Cisco-1.25 A flaw in the SSH server code allows

: The flaw exists in the initial message negotiation phase before a user ever submits a password or cryptographic key.

: Allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands with administrative privileges. Step-by-Step Remediation Playbook The SSH-2

Recent reports have identified a critical vulnerability (CVSS 10.0) in certain Cisco products using the Erlang/OTP SSH implementation. It allows unauthenticated remote code execution by sending connection protocol messages before authentication occurs.

This banner has been observed across a wide range of Cisco products for many years. It acts as a signature that network scanners and attackers look for to target specific families of devices.

The string is not a single specific vulnerability, but rather a standard software banner string emitted by Cisco enterprise devices (running Cisco IOS or IOS XE) when an external system initiates a connection over Secure Shell (SSH) on Port 22.

When an SSH client connects to a server, the server sends a "banner" identifying its software version. In this case, the string breaks down as follows: