Cannavaro has coached several sides in China plus Serie B team Benevento and takes over from Cioffi, who was given the job in October with the club 18th in the standings.
Udinese have lost three of their last four matches and now sit 17th, level on 28 points with third-bottom Frosinone, who are in the relegation zone, albeit with a game in hand.
"Fabio Cannavaro is the new Udinese coach... who will lead the team until the end of the season. He has signed a contract until 30 June 2024," the club said in a statement.
"Cannavaro will be accompanied by his brother Paolo as assistant coach and Francesco Troise as technical collaborator."
The remaining 18 minutes of Udinese's April 14th home game with AS Roma, which was suspended with the score at 1-1 after visiting defender Evan Ndicka collapsed on the pitch, has been scheduled for April 25th.
