Streamlining network security with pytest and Netpicker: Addressing Cisco’s CVEs

Introduction

Navigating network security in today’s digital landscape requires both vigilance and innovation, especially with recent vulnerabilities in Cisco IOS XE Software. Advanced tools like Python’s pytest and Netpicker are game-changers, offering network engineers a proactive stance in identifying and mitigating risks associated with CVE-2023-20198 and CVE-2023-20273.

Understanding the Threat

The vulnerabilities in Cisco’s software are not just code flaws; they are open doors for attackers, especially where the web UI feature is active. Senior network engineers are tasked with identifying these vulnerabilities, which can lead to unauthorized remote access and escalation of privileges, and ensuring that their network devices are not exposed to these significant threats.

Leverage Pytest for Enhanced Security

Pytest’s appeal lies in its simplicity and capability to execute complex tests. For network security, it becomes an indispensable tool, enabling engineers to write custom scripts that scan network configurations against known vulnerabilities. By automating this process, engineers can more efficiently monitor large-scale networks, reducing the risk of human error and ensuring continuous compliance.

Netpicker: Automating pytest Across Networks

Netpicker plays a crucial role here. It’s a robust platform for automating network design, compliance, and security tests. By integrating pytest with Netpicker, engineers can automate their security checks across all Cisco devices in the network, ensuring a consistent and comprehensive vulnerability assessment. This integration not only saves time but also enhances the accuracy of the security posture.

Python Code Example

import pytest

def test_check_cve_vulnerability(configuration):
    assert 'ip http server' not in configuration, "CVE-2023-20198 detected."
    assert 'ip http secure-server' not in configuration, "CVE-2023-20273 detected."

Conclusion

In a field where threats evolve rapidly, the combination of pytest and Netpicker offers a formidable defense. This approach not only streamlines the process of securing networks against specific vulnerabilities but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement and vigilance in network security.