- Open Vulnerability and Assessment Language -
Element Dictionary

The following is a description of the elements, types, and attributes that compose the Cisco CatOS specific tests found in Open Vulnerability and Assessment Language (OVAL). Each test is an extension of the standard test element defined in the Core Definition Schema. Through extension, each test inherits a set of elements and attributes that are shared amongst all OVAL tests. Each test is described in detail and should provide the information necessary to understand what each element and attribute represents. This document is intended for developers and assumes some familiarity with XML. A high level description of the interaction between the different tests and their relationship to the Core Definition Schema is not outlined here

This schema was originally developed by Yuzheng Zhou at Hewlett-Packard. The OVAL Schema is maintained by The Mitre Corporation and developed by the public OVAL Community. For more information, including how to get involved in the project and how to submit change requests, please visit the OVAL website at http://oval.mitre.org.



< module_test >

The module test reveals module information in Cisco Catalyst switches. It extends the standard TestType as defined in the oval-definitions-schema and one should refer to the TestType description for more information. The required object element references a module_object and the optional state element specifies the metadata to check. The evaluation of the test is guided by the check attribute that is inherited from the TestType.

The module_test is based off the SHOW MODULE command. Having a separate module_test, as opposed to a general command_test, enables running an evaluation based on OVAL without having interactive command access to the device.

Child Elements Type MinOccurs MaxOccurs
object oval-def:ObjectRefType 1 1
state oval-def:StateRefType 0 1

< module_object >

The module_object element is used by a module test to specify the module to be evaluated. Each object extends the standard ObjectType as defined in the oval-definitions-schema and one should refer to the ObjectType description for more information. The common set element allows complex objects to be created using filters and set logic. Again, please refer to the description of the set element in the oval-definitions schema.

A module object consists of a single module_number entity that identifies the module to be used.

Child Elements Type MinOccurs MaxOccurs
module_number oval-def:EntityObjectIntType 0 1

< module_state >

The module_state element defines the module information held within a Cisco Catalyst switch. The module_number, type, and model element specifies the number, type and model of the module respectively. The software_major_release, software_individual_release and software_version_id elements specify the software version information of the module. For instance, if the software version is 8.5(4c)GLX, then software_major_release is 8.5GLX, software_individual_release is 4 and software_version_id is c. Similarly, the hardware_major_release, hardware_individual_release, firmware_major_release and firmware_individual_release elements reveal the hardware and firmware version information of the module.

Child Elements Type MinOccurs MaxOccurs
module_number oval-def:EntityStateIntType 0 1
type oval-def:EntityStateStringType 0 1
model oval-def:EntityStateStringType 0 1
software_major_release oval-def:EntityStateStringType 0 1
software_individual_release oval-def:EntityStateIntType 0 1
software_version_id oval-def:EntityStateStringType 0 1
hardware_major_release oval-def:EntityStateStringType 0 1
hardware_individual_release oval-def:EntityStateIntType 0 1
firmware_major_release oval-def:EntityStateStringType 0 1
firmware_individual_release oval-def:EntityStateIntType 0 1



< version_test >

The version test is used to check the version of the Cisco CatOS operating system. It extends the standard TestType as defined in the oval-definitions-schema and one should refer to the TestType description for more information. The required object element references a version_object and the optional state element specifies the data to check. The evaluation of the test is guided by the check attribute that is inherited from the TestType.

The required information of version_test can be got via a SHOW VERSION command. The separated version_test enables an evaluation based on OVAL without having interactive command access to the device.

Child Elements Type MinOccurs MaxOccurs
object oval-def:ObjectRefType 1 1
state oval-def:StateRefType 0 1

< version_object >

The version_object element is used by a version test to define the different version information associated with a Cisco CatOS system. There is actually only one object relating to version and this is the system as a whole. Therefore, there are no child entities defined. Any OVAL Test written to check version will reference the same version_object which is basically an empty object element.


< version_state >

The version_state element defines the version information held within a Cisco CatOS software release. The swtich_series element specifies the Catalyst switch series. The image_name element specifies the name of the CatOS image. The catos_major_release, catos_individual_release and catos_version_id elements specify the software version information of the module. For instance, if the CatOS version is 8.5(4c)GLX, then catos_major_release is 8.5GLX, catos_individual_release is 4 and catos_version_id is c.

Child Elements Type MinOccurs MaxOccurs
swtich_series oval-def:EntityStateStringType 0 1
image_name oval-def:EntityStateStringType 0 1
catos_major_release oval-def:EntityStateStringType 0 1
catos_individual_release oval-def:EntityStateIntType 0 1
catos_version_id oval-def:EntityStateStringType 0 1