CVE-2002-1222 in CatOS
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the embedded HTTP server for Cisco Catalyst switches running CatOS 5.4 through 7.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (reset) via a long HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1222 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the embedded HTTP server component of Cisco Catalyst switches operating under CatOS versions 5.4 through 7.3. This issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly handle excessively long HTTP requests submitted to the switch's web interface. The buffer overflow occurs when the server attempts to process HTTP requests that exceed predetermined memory allocation limits, creating a condition where adjacent memory segments become overwritten with malicious or unexpected data. The flaw specifically targets the HTTP server implementation that serves as the primary interface for remote management and configuration of these network devices.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates through a classic stack-based buffer overflow mechanism where an attacker can craft a malicious HTTP request containing an oversized payload that surpasses the allocated buffer space. When the embedded HTTP server processes this malformed request, it overflows the stack buffer and potentially corrupts adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control information. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which represents a well-documented and highly dangerous class of security flaws that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication credentials to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker capable of sending HTTP requests to the switch's management interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can result in complete system resets or crashes that effectively deny network services to legitimate users. When the embedded HTTP server crashes due to the buffer overflow, the Catalyst switch may become unresponsive to both web-based management requests and normal network operations, creating significant disruption in network infrastructure availability. Network administrators may experience extended downtime while attempting to restore switch functionality, and the vulnerability can be exploited to create persistent denial of service conditions that require manual intervention to resolve. The affected CatOS versions span a considerable timeframe from 5.4 through 7.3, indicating that this vulnerability was present across multiple generations of Cisco's network switch operating systems, making it particularly widespread and difficult to remediate.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1222 should prioritize immediate implementation of network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable switches to untrusted networks. Organizations should disable the embedded HTTP server functionality on affected switches when possible, or implement strict firewall rules that restrict access to the HTTP management interface to trusted administrative networks only. Cisco released patches and updates for affected CatOS versions that addressed the buffer overflow conditions by implementing proper input validation and memory boundary checking mechanisms. Network administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious HTTP request patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in embedded systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 which focuses on content injection attacks that exploit buffer overflows in network services. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected CatOS versions and ensure timely patch deployment to eliminate this persistent threat to network infrastructure availability.