CVE-2005-0599 in Application
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco devices running Application and Content Networking System (ACNS) 4.x, 5.0, or 5.1 before 5.1.11.6 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) via malformed IP packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2017
Cisco devices running Application and Content Networking System acns version 4.x 5.0 or 5.1 before 5.1.11.6 contain a vulnerability that permits remote attackers to execute a denial of service attack by transmitting malformed ip packets to the affected systems. this flaw resides in the packet processing logic where the system fails to properly validate incoming ip packet structures leading to excessive cpu resource consumption during packet inspection. the vulnerability specifically impacts the acns software components responsible for network traffic analysis and content delivery functions. when malformed packets are received the affected devices enter into a processing loop where cpu cycles are consumed unnecessarily as the system attempts to parse invalid packet headers or payload structures. this behavior results in sustained high cpu utilization that can ultimately render the device unresponsive to legitimate traffic. the flaw represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and inadequate error handling within network processing components. from a cybersecurity perspective this vulnerability aligns with cwe-129 input validation and cwe-20 improper input validation categories. the attack vector requires only network access to the vulnerable device and can be executed without authentication. the operational impact extends beyond simple service disruption as sustained high cpu consumption can lead to complete system failure and require manual intervention to restore normal operations. network administrators face significant challenges in detecting such attacks since they appear as normal network traffic patterns while consuming disproportionate system resources. the vulnerability also exposes the broader risk of resource exhaustion attacks that can be leveraged in larger scale campaigns targeting multiple devices within a network infrastructure. organizations utilizing affected acns versions should prioritize immediate patch deployment to mitigate the risk of exploitation. the recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to acns version 5.1.11.6 or later which includes enhanced packet validation routines and improved error handling mechanisms. network segmentation and traffic monitoring can provide additional layers of defense by detecting unusual cpu utilization patterns and potential attack signatures. this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of robust input validation in network infrastructure components and highlights the potential for seemingly benign network traffic to be exploited for resource exhaustion attacks. the incident underscores the necessity for continuous security assessments of network operating systems and the importance of maintaining up to date security patches across all network infrastructure elements. from an att&ck framework perspective this vulnerability maps to tactic ta0040 resource exhaustion and technique t1499.004 network denial of service. the attack pattern represents a common exploitation method where attackers leverage protocol implementation weaknesses to consume system resources and disable network services. effective monitoring solutions should track cpu utilization metrics and packet processing anomalies to identify potential exploitation attempts. proper network design and implementation of rate limiting mechanisms can also help reduce the impact of such attacks by preventing single packets from consuming excessive resources. the vulnerability serves as a reminder that even well-established network vendors can introduce implementation flaws that create significant security risks when exposed to malformed network traffic patterns.