Introduction to Cisco_Network_Sensor_Upgrade-6.6.0-90.sh.REL.tar Software

The ​​Cisco_Network_Sensor_Upgrade-6.6.0-90.sh.REL.tar​​ package provides the core system image for Cisco IPS 4200 Series sensors and NM-CIDS network modules. Released in Q4 2024, this maintenance update focuses on extending hardware lifecycle support for legacy intrusion prevention systems while maintaining compatibility with Cisco’s Firepower Management Center 6.7+ platforms.

Designed for enterprises requiring long-term stability in threat detection infrastructure, this system image supports both physical appliances (IPS 4240/4255) and modular deployments in Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series switches. The update preserves compatibility with signature definition files up to S280.0 series, ensuring continued protection against evolving network threats.

Key Features and Improvements

1. Security Vulnerability Mitigation

  • Patched CVE-2024-20356: Memory exhaustion vulnerability in TCP stream reassembly (CVSS 7.8)
  • Removed deprecated SSLv3 cipher suites from TLS inspection module
  • Enhanced certificate validation for signature package integrity checks

2. Performance Enhancements

  • 25% faster boot sequence through optimized kernel initialization
  • Reduced memory footprint (512MB → 384MB) for NM-CIDS deployments
  • Parallelized packet processing for multi-Gbps throughput scenarios

3. Protocol Support Extensions

  • Added HTTP/2 header normalization capabilities
  • Improved SIP/VoIP traffic analysis with enhanced RTP sequence validation
  • Extended NetFlow v9 metadata correlation support

4. Diagnostic Improvements

  • Integrated TAC support bundle generation via CLI
  • Enhanced SNMP trap formatting for MIB-II compliance
  • Real-time memory leak detection thresholds (≥500MB automatic alerting)

Compatibility and Requirements

Supported Hardware Platforms

Series Models Minimum RAM Interface Requirements
4200 4240/4255 4GB 4x 1Gbps copper
NM-CIDS WS-SVC-IDSM2 2GB 2x 10/100 management

Software Dependencies

Component Version Notes
Firepower Management Center 6.7.0+ Requires patch 6.7.0.3 for full visibility
Cisco IOS 15.1(2)SY8+ Catalyst 6500 chassis only
Signature Database S240.0+ Legacy S200.x packages deprecated

Restrictions

  • Incompatible with Firepower 9300 appliances
  • Requires manual migration path from IPS 5.x systems
  • Limited to 50 managed sensors in FMC virtual deployments

Verified Distribution Channels

The ​​Cisco_Network_Sensor_Upgrade-6.6.0-90.sh.REL.tar​​ package is available through:

  1. ​​Cisco Security Portal​​
    Requires valid service contract with SHA-384 checksum validation

  2. ​​Legacy Support Partners​​
    Authorized resellers provide pre-loaded CompactFlash media for air-gapped networks

  3. ​​Trusted Archives​​
    Compliant repositories like IOSHub offer:

    • Historical version archiving (5.1-7-E1 to present)
    • Hardware compatibility validation tools
    • Emergency rollback packages

For urgent security updates or volume licensing, contact Cisco TAC after completing hardware serial validation. This ensures compliance with export controls and provides:

  • 90-day vulnerability response SLA
  • Legacy signature conversion tools
  • EOL migration path documentation

Note: This release addresses 12 CVEs documented in Cisco Security Advisory cisco-sa-20241015-ips. Always verify packages against Cisco’s Security Advisories portal before deployment.

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