---
title: "CISA Warns of Actively Exploited Sierra Wireless Vulnerability"
short_title: "CISA adds exploited Sierra Wireless flaw to KEV catalog"
description: "CISA has added CVE-2018-4063, a critical Sierra Wireless AirLink ALEOS vulnerability, to its KEV catalog. Immediate patching is urged for all organizations."
author: "Vitus"
date: 2025-01-24
categories: [Cybersecurity, Vulnerabilities]
tags: [cisa, cve-2018-4063, kev catalog, sierra wireless, vulnerability management]
score: 0.85
cve_ids: [CVE-2018-4063]
---
TL;DR
CISA has added CVE-2018-4063, a critical vulnerability in Sierra Wireless AirLink ALEOS, to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog due to evidence of active exploitation. Federal agencies must patch immediately, while all organizations are urged to prioritize remediation to mitigate risks.
---
Main Content
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has escalated the urgency around a critical vulnerability in Sierra Wireless AirLink ALEOS by adding it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) Catalog. The flaw, tracked as CVE-2018-4063, involves an unrestricted upload of files with dangerous types, making it a prime target for malicious cyber actors. This move underscores the growing threat posed by unpatched vulnerabilities and the need for swift action to protect critical infrastructure.
Key Points
- CVE-2018-4063 affects Sierra Wireless AirLink ALEOS and allows attackers to upload dangerous file types without restrictions.
- The vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild, posing significant risks to federal and private sector networks.
- Binding Operational Directive (BOD) 22-01 mandates federal agencies to remediate the flaw by a specified deadline.
- CISA urges all organizations, not just federal agencies, to prioritize patching this vulnerability to reduce exposure to cyberattacks.
---
Technical Details
CVE-2018-4063 is classified as an unrestricted file upload vulnerability in Sierra Wireless AirLink ALEOS, a widely used operating system for industrial and enterprise-grade routers. This flaw enables attackers to upload malicious files to vulnerable systems, potentially leading to remote code execution (RCE), unauthorized access, or complete system compromise.
The vulnerability was initially disclosed in 2018 but has resurfaced due to evidence of active exploitation. Attackers can exploit this flaw by uploading files with dangerous extensions (e.g., `.php`, `.jsp`, or `.exe`) to a vulnerable device, bypassing security controls and executing arbitrary code.
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Impact Assessment
The inclusion of CVE-2018-4063 in CISA’s KEV Catalog highlights its high-severity risk to organizations, particularly those in critical infrastructure sectors. The potential impacts include:
- Unauthorized System Access: Attackers can gain control of vulnerable devices, leading to data breaches or lateral movement within networks.
- Disruption of Operations: Exploitation can disrupt critical services, especially in industries relying on Sierra Wireless devices for remote monitoring and management.
- Compliance Risks: Federal agencies failing to remediate the vulnerability by the deadline may face compliance violations under BOD 22-01.
Given the active exploitation of this flaw, organizations must treat this as a critical priority in their vulnerability management programs.
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Mitigation Steps
CISA and cybersecurity experts recommend the following actions to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2018-4063:
1. Apply Patches Immediately: Sierra Wireless has released patches for affected versions of AirLink ALEOS. Organizations should apply these updates without delay.
2. Restrict Access: Limit access to vulnerable devices by implementing network segmentation and firewall rules.
3. Monitor for Exploitation: Deploy intrusion detection systems (IDS) and security information and event management (SIEM) tools to detect suspicious activity.
4. Review CISA’s KEV Catalog: Regularly check the [KEV Catalog](https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog) for updates on actively exploited vulnerabilities.
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Conclusion
The addition of CVE-2018-4063 to CISA’s KEV Catalog serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threats posed by unpatched vulnerabilities. While federal agencies are required to act under BOD 22-01, all organizations must prioritize remediation to safeguard their networks. Proactive vulnerability management and timely patching are essential to reducing exposure to cyber threats and protecting critical infrastructure.
---
References
[^1]: CISA. "[CISA Adds One Known Exploited Vulnerability to Catalog](https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2025/12/12/cisa-adds-one-known-exploited-vulnerability-catalog)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.
[^2]: CVE. "[CVE-2018-4063 Detail](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-4063)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.
[^3]: Sierra Wireless. "[AirLink ALEOS Security Updates](https://www.sierrawireless.com/support/)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.