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V-221022

CAT II (Medium)

The Cisco BGP switch must be configured to use a unique key for each autonomous system (AS) that it peers with.

Rule ID

SV-221022r945862_rule

STIG

Cisco IOS XE Switch RTR Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V3R4

CCIs

CCI-000366 CCI-002205

Discussion

If the same keys are used between eBGP neighbors, the chance of a hacker compromising any of the BGP sessions increases. It is possible that a malicious user exists in one autonomous system who would know the key used for the eBGP session. This user would then be able to hijack BGP sessions with other trusted neighbors.

Check Content

Review the BGP configuration to determine if it is peering with multiple autonomous systems. Interview the ISSM and switch administrator to determine if unique keys are being used. 

router bgp xx
 no synchronization
 bgp log-neighbor-changes
 neighbor x.1.1.9 remote-as yy
 neighbor x.1.1.9 password yyyyyyyy
 neighbor x.2.1.7 remote-as zz
 neighbor x.2.1.7 password zzzzzzzzz

If unique keys are not being used, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the switch to use unique keys for each AS that it peers with as shown in the example below:

SW1(config)#router bgp xx
SW1(config-switch)#neighbor x.1.1.9 password yyyyyyyy 
SW1(config-switch)#neighbor x.2.1.7 password zzzzzzzzz