CVE-2009-0633 in IOS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified vulnerabilities in the (1) Mobile IP NAT Traversal feature and (2) Mobile IPv6 subsystem in Cisco IOS 12.3 through 12.4 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (input queue wedge and interface outage) via MIPv6 packets, aka Bug ID CSCsm97220.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-0633 represents a critical weakness in Cisco IOS implementations that affects both Mobile IP NAT Traversal functionality and the Mobile IPv6 subsystem. This issue manifests through unspecified flaws within the mobile IP protocols that are fundamental to wireless network connectivity and mobility management. The affected versions span Cisco IOS 12.3 through 12.4, indicating a widespread impact across multiple releases of the operating system. These vulnerabilities specifically target the core mobile IP mechanisms that enable devices to maintain network connectivity while moving between different network segments, making them particularly dangerous for enterprise and service provider networks where mobility is essential.
The technical flaw exploits weaknesses in how Cisco IOS handles Mobile IPv6 packets, particularly in the processing of MIPv6 messages within the Mobile IP NAT Traversal feature and Mobile IPv6 subsystem. When malformed or specially crafted MIPv6 packets are received by affected Cisco devices, they trigger a cascade of failures that result in input queue wedges and subsequent interface outages. This behavior demonstrates a classic denial of service vulnerability where legitimate network traffic is disrupted through exploitation of protocol implementation flaws. The vulnerability operates at the network protocol level, affecting the core routing and mobility functions that are critical for maintaining connectivity in mobile network environments. The unspecified nature of the exact flaw details suggests that the vulnerability may involve multiple implementation weaknesses within the mobile IP processing code paths, potentially including buffer overflows, improper state handling, or race conditions in packet processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can lead to complete network outages on affected Cisco devices. When input queues wedge and interfaces go down, network services that depend on these devices become unavailable, potentially affecting large segments of network traffic. The Mobile IPv6 subsystem is particularly critical as it enables seamless roaming and connectivity for mobile devices, making the vulnerability especially dangerous for wireless networks and service provider infrastructure. Organizations using Cisco IOS versions 12.3 through 12.4 that have deployed mobile IP features are at risk of experiencing cascading failures that could impact enterprise networks, service provider backbones, and mobile network infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger these failures from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible network equipment.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which covers "Improper Access to Memory" and encompasses issues involving buffer overflows and memory access violations that can lead to denial of service conditions. Additionally, the attack pattern follows ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for "Endpoint Denial of Service" and potentially T1566.001 for "Phishing with Social Engineering" if attackers leverage this vulnerability as part of broader attack campaigns. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of Cisco IOS, applying relevant security advisories, and implementing network segmentation to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Network administrators should also monitor for unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts and consider disabling unnecessary Mobile IP features on affected devices until proper patches are applied. The vulnerability highlights the importance of thorough testing of mobility features in network operating systems and demonstrates how seemingly specialized protocol implementations can introduce widespread stability issues in core network infrastructure.