# What is CVE-2018-0229?

> CVE-2018-0229 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) in Anyconnect Secure Mobility Client from Cisco, published on 19 April 2018. It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts its chance of use in the next 30 days at 3.4%. If you run an affected version, plan in the vendor’s fix.

Canonical page: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/what-is/cve-2018-0229

## At a glance

- **Verdict:** Plan it in. No sign of exploitation and a low forecast. Patch it in your normal update cycle.
- **Precursor Intelligence risk score:** 26 out of 100 (Low); action: Monitor. Kept up to date as the evidence changes.
- **Severity:** Medium (CVSS 6.5 out of 10)
- **Known to be exploited:** No, not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today
- **Chance of use in the next 30 days:** 3.4% (latest exploit-likelihood forecast)
- **Published:** 19 April 2018
- **Record last updated:** 15 August 2023
- **Main product:** Anyconnect Secure Mobility Client from Cisco
- **Affected products:** 2

## What is CVE-2018-0229? In plain terms

It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in, but a person has to take an action first. If it works, the attacker can read data.

### The official description

A vulnerability in the implementation of Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication for Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Desktop Platforms, Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software, and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to establish an authenticated AnyConnect session through an affected device running ASA or FTD Software. The authentication would need to be done by an unsuspecting third party, aka Session Fixation. The vulnerability exists because there is no mechanism for the ASA or FTD Software to detect that the authentication request originates from the AnyConnect client directly. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by persuading a user to click a crafted link and authenticating using the company's Identity Provider (IdP). A successful exploit could allow the attacker to hijack a valid authentication token and use that to establish an authenticated AnyConnect session through an affected device running ASA or FTD Software. This vulnerability affects the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client, and ASA Software and FTD Software configured for SAML 2.0-based SSO for AnyConnect Remote Access VPN that is running on the following Cisco products: 3000 Series Industrial Security Appliances (ISA), ASA 5500 Series Adaptive Security Appliances, ASA 5500-X Series Next-Generation Firewalls, ASA Services Module for Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Switches and Cisco 7600 Series Routers, Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv), Firepower 2100 Series Security Appliance, Firepower 4100 Series Security Appliance, Firepower 9300 ASA Security Module, FTD Virtual (FTDv). Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvg65072, CSCvh87448.

### What kind of flaw is it?

- CWE-384: Session Fixation

### How an attack on it works

- Where an attacker can be: Anywhere on the internet
- How hard it is to pull off: Easy: no special conditions
- Login needed first: No login needed
- Does someone have to click: Yes, a person has to take an action
- What an attacker gets: Can read data

Severity vector: `CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N`

## Is CVE-2018-0229 being exploited? Not that we know of

It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 3.4%. That can change at any time, which is why we keep watching.

Exploit likelihood over the last 7 days: 3.4%, 3.4%, 3.4%, 3.4%, 3.4%, 3.4%, 3.4%.

### Timeline

- 19 April 2018: Published
- 15 August 2023: Record last updated

### How Precursor Intelligence ranks it

CVE-2018-0229 scores **26 out of 100 (Low)**, with the action "Monitor".

Every published flaw gets a risk score from 0 to 100, kept up to date as the evidence changes. Four things go into the score, from the one that counts most to the ones that count less:

- Evidence it is being exploited: biggest factor
- How severe it is: strong factor
- How widely exposed it is: smaller factor
- Threat activity around it: smaller factor

85 and above is Critical. Anything confirmed as exploited is always marked for an emergency patch, whatever its score. When this flaw matches software you track, it lands in your list with its score and the reasons behind it.

## Who is affected by CVE-2018-0229?

The published record lists 2 products.

- [Anyconnect Secure Mobility Client](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/anyconnect_secure_mobility_client) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Application): 4.6(200)
- [Adaptive Security Appliance Software](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/product/cisco/adaptive_security_appliance_software) by [Cisco](https://www.precursorintelligence.com/vendors/cisco) (Operating system): 9.8(1.245)

## How do I fix CVE-2018-0229?

1. **Check whether you run it.** Compare your versions with the affected products above. Not sure what you run? Precursor Intelligence can work it out from your public website, or you can pick it from a list.
2. **Apply the vendor’s fix.** Install the update named in the vendor’s advisory. We’ve put the advisory first in the list.
3. **If you can’t patch today.** Follow any mitigation the vendor publishes, and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet until the update is in.
4. **Keep an eye on it.** Track the product and we tell you as soon as we spot this flaw on the list of exploited flaws, or a jump in its exploit likelihood.

### References

- [tools.cisco.com](https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20180418-asaanyconnect) (Vendor advisory)
- [securityfocus.com](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/103939) (Third-party advisory, Vulnerability database)
- [securitytracker.com](http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1040711) (Third-party advisory, Vulnerability database)
- [securitytracker.com](http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1040712) (Third-party advisory, Vulnerability database)

## Questions

### What is CVE-2018-0229?

CVE-2018-0229 is a medium-severity flaw in Anyconnect Secure Mobility Client from Cisco, published on 19 April 2018. It can be attacked from anywhere on the internet without logging in, but a person has to take an action first. If it works, the attacker can read data.

### How serious is CVE-2018-0229?

It scores 6.5 out of 10 on the CVSS severity scale, which is medium. Our risk score for CVE-2018-0229 is 26 out of 100, which is Low. Its action is "Monitor". No sign of exploitation and a low forecast. Patch it in your normal update cycle.

### Is CVE-2018-0229 being exploited?

It is not on the list of flaws known to be exploited today. The latest forecast puts the chance of it being used in the next 30 days at 3.4%. That can change at any time, which is why we keep watching.

### Which versions does CVE-2018-0229 affect?

For Anyconnect Secure Mobility Client from Cisco: 4.6(200). The record lists 2 products in all, each with its versions, under "Who is affected" on this page.

### How do I fix CVE-2018-0229?

Install the update the vendor names in its advisory, linked first under "How do I fix" on this page. If you can't patch today, follow the vendor's mitigation and limit who can reach the affected system from the internet.

## Does CVE-2018-0229 affect you?

Precursor Intelligence keeps checking for you:

- **Tell us what you run.** Pick your software from a list, or let us work it out from your website.
- **We match it to every flaw.** Over 400,000 published flaws, checked against your list.
- **Ranked by real-world risk.** Every flaw gets a 0 to 100 risk score, kept up to date, led by evidence criminals are using it.
- **Told as soon as we know.** An alert by email, in the app or by webhook to your own tools.

Start free (no card, nothing to install): https://www.precursorintelligence.com/register
Book a demo: https://www.precursorintelligence.com/contact