CVE-2005-4465 in UNIVERGE
Summary
by MITRE
The Internet Key Exchange version 1 (IKEv1) implementation in NEC UNIVERGE IX1000, IX2000, and IX3000 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via crafted IKE packets, as demonstrated by the PROTOS ISAKMP Test Suite for IKEv1. NOTE: due to the lack of details in the advisory, it is unclear which of CVE-2005-3666, CVE-2005-3667, and/or CVE-2005-3668 this issue applies to.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4465 represents a critical security flaw within the Internet Key Exchange version 1 implementation found in NEC UNIVERGE IX1000, IX2000, and IX3000 network infrastructure devices. This issue specifically targets the IKEv1 protocol which serves as a fundamental component for establishing secure communication channels through IPsec. The vulnerability manifests when these devices receive malformed or crafted IKE packets that trigger unexpected behavior in their processing mechanisms. The affected NEC devices operate as part of enterprise networking infrastructure, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to disrupt business operations or gain unauthorized access to corporate networks. The vulnerability's classification as a denial of service issue indicates that attackers can potentially render these network devices inoperable, while the possibility of arbitrary code execution suggests a more severe threat vector that could allow full system compromise. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability and integrity of network security services provided by these devices, creating a cascading effect that could compromise entire network infrastructures.
The technical implementation flaw within the IKEv1 processing engine of these NEC devices stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms. When processing incoming IKE packets, the system fails to properly validate packet structures, sequence numbers, or cryptographic parameters, leading to potential buffer overflows, memory corruption, or unexpected state transitions. The vulnerability's exploitation occurs through carefully constructed packets that manipulate the IKE state machine or cryptographic processing routines. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and potentially CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions. The lack of proper bounds checking in the packet parsing routines allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that cause the device to behave unpredictably, potentially leading to system crashes or memory corruption that could be leveraged for code execution. The PROTOS ISAKMP Test Suite for IKEv1 serves as the demonstration tool that validates this vulnerability, providing proof-of-concept evidence of how malformed packets can trigger the underlying implementation flaws.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-4465 extends beyond simple network disruption to encompass potential full system compromise and business continuity threats. Organizations relying on NEC UNIVERGE devices for their network security infrastructure face significant risk when these vulnerabilities remain unpatched, as attackers can exploit them to gain unauthorized access to protected network segments. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution creates a pathway for attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and move laterally within the network environment. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1071.001 for application layer protocol usage and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The denial of service aspect of the vulnerability can be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where these devices serve as critical network gateways, potentially causing widespread service outages that impact business operations. Organizations may experience extended downtime while implementing patches and recovery procedures, with potential financial implications from lost productivity and security breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-4465 must address both immediate protection and long-term security posture improvements. Organizations should prioritize applying vendor-provided security patches or firmware updates that address the specific IKEv1 processing flaws in their NEC devices. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact of exploitation by restricting network access to these vulnerable devices. Implementing network monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify malicious IKE traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider disabling IKEv1 where possible and transitioning to IKEv2 implementations which offer improved security characteristics and better protection against similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of network infrastructure devices. Additionally, organizations should establish incident response procedures specifically addressing IKE protocol vulnerabilities and ensure that network administrators are trained to recognize and respond to potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should include evaluation of IKE implementation security to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network security devices.