CVE-2003-0677 in Content Services Switch
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco CSS 11000 routers on the CS800 chassis allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption or reboot) via a large number of TCP SYN packets to the circuit IP address, aka "ONDM Ping failure."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2016
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0677 affects Cisco CSS 11000 routers deployed on CS800 chassis systems, representing a significant denial of service weakness that can be exploited remotely by attackers. This flaw manifests when the affected hardware receives an excessive volume of TCP SYN packets directed at the circuit IP address, leading to either complete system reboot or sustained high cpu utilization that effectively renders the network infrastructure non-functional. The vulnerability operates under the broader category of network infrastructure DoS attacks and specifically targets the operational stability of critical network components.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the improper handling of TCP SYN packets within the Cisco CSS 11000 router's processing logic. When confronted with a large volume of these packets, the system fails to properly manage the connection state information and resource allocation, resulting in either a complete system crash requiring manual reboot or a sustained condition where the cpu remains at maximum utilization levels. This behavior stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient resource management within the TCP connection handling modules of the affected hardware. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-400 as an uncontrolled resource consumption issue, where the system's inability to properly process legitimate network traffic leads to resource exhaustion.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a critical risk to network availability and business continuity, particularly for organizations relying on Cisco CSS 11000 routers for their network infrastructure. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can initiate the DoS condition from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or authentication credentials. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the system may require manual intervention to restore functionality, potentially causing extended downtime for critical network services. Network administrators face the challenge of identifying and mitigating this vulnerability while maintaining operational uptime, as the attack can be executed with minimal resources and technical expertise.
The attack vector specifically targets the TCP SYN flood mechanism, which is a well-known DoS technique that exploits the three-way handshake process in TCP connections. In this case, the Cisco CSS 11000 routers fail to properly implement rate limiting or connection tracking mechanisms that would normally prevent such resource exhaustion attacks from succeeding. The vulnerability is further characterized by its ability to cause either immediate system failure or gradual resource depletion, making detection and mitigation more complex for network security teams. The referenced "ONDM Ping failure" designation indicates that the underlying issue affects the operational network management functionality of the device, potentially complicating monitoring and alerting systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include implementing network-level protections such as SYN cookies, rate limiting on incoming TCP connections, and firewall rules that restrict the volume of TCP SYN packets from suspicious sources. Network administrators should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on abnormal TCP SYN packet patterns. The most effective long-term solution involves applying the appropriate Cisco security patches and firmware updates that address the underlying resource management flaws in the CSS 11000 router software. Additionally, implementing proper network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of such attacks by reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. Organizations should also maintain comprehensive incident response procedures that include specific protocols for handling DoS attacks targeting network infrastructure components.