CVE-2007-4789 in Content Switching Modules
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Content Switching Modules (CSM) 4.2 before 4.2.7, and Cisco Content Switching Module with SSL (CSM-S) 2.1 before 2.1.6, when service termination is enabled, allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (reboot) via unspecified vectors related to high network utilization, aka CSCsh57876.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4789 affects Cisco Content Switching Modules (CSM) and Cisco Content Switching Module with SSL (CSM-S) products running specific software versions. This issue represents a significant security flaw that can be exploited remotely to cause system-wide denial of service conditions. The affected versions include CSM 4.2 prior to 4.2.7 and CSM-S 2.1 prior to 2.1.6, making it a widespread concern for organizations utilizing these networking appliances. The vulnerability specifically manifests when service termination is enabled within the content switching modules, creating a condition where legitimate network traffic can be leveraged to trigger system instability.
The technical flaw underlying CVE-2007-4789 stems from inadequate handling of network utilization patterns when service termination is active. Attackers can exploit this weakness by generating specific network traffic patterns that cause the content switching modules to consume excessive system resources. This excessive resource consumption leads to system instability and ultimately results in automatic system reboot. The vulnerability operates at the network protocol level and demonstrates poor resource management within the Cisco content switching infrastructure. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack scenarios can trigger the same underlying flaw, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can potentially discover various methods to exploit the condition.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass complete system unavailability. Organizations relying on these content switching modules for critical network traffic management face significant business disruption when systems are rebooted due to this flaw. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit the vulnerability from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or elevated privileges. This characteristic aligns with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, where attackers can leverage network-based vulnerabilities to compromise system availability. The vulnerability also represents a weakness in the network infrastructure that could potentially be used as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks.
Organizations affected by CVE-2007-4789 should prioritize immediate remediation through official Cisco software updates and patches. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and resource management practices that fall under CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation" and CWE-400, which covers "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption". Security teams should implement network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack vectors. The incident highlights the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and following vendor security advisories. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure preparedness for similar denial of service attacks that could impact network infrastructure components.