CVE-2010-0148 in Security Agent
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Cisco Security Agent 5.2 before 5.2.0.285, when running on Linux, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (kernel panic) via "a series of TCP packets."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2026
Cisco Security Agent version 5.2 before 5.2.0.285 contains an unspecified vulnerability when operating on Linux systems that enables remote attackers to trigger a denial of service condition resulting in kernel panic. This vulnerability specifically manifests through the careful crafting of TCP packets that, when processed by the security agent, causes the Linux kernel to crash and panic. The flaw represents a critical weakness in the kernel module implementation where proper input validation and packet handling mechanisms are insufficient to prevent malicious packet sequences from causing system-wide crashes. The vulnerability falls under the category of unspecified weaknesses that typically indicate complex interactions between kernel components and user-space applications, particularly affecting the kernel's ability to process network traffic safely. This issue directly impacts the availability and stability of systems running the affected Cisco Security Agent version, as a successful exploitation results in complete system shutdown requiring manual reboot. The vulnerability is classified as a denial of service attack that leverages TCP protocol characteristics to exploit kernel-level flaws in the security agent's packet processing logic. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which encompasses weaknesses related to improper handling of memory or data in kernel space, and CWE-121 which addresses buffer overflow conditions that can occur during kernel data processing. The attack vector operates through network-based TCP packet sequences that bypass normal protocol validation, exploiting the security agent's failure to properly sanitize incoming TCP traffic before kernel processing. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to cause system-wide kernel panics without requiring local access or elevated privileges, making it a significant threat to network infrastructure security. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as kernel panics can result in data loss, system instability, and potential compromise of other security measures on the affected system. From an operational perspective, organizations running Cisco Security Agent 5.2 on Linux platforms face substantial risk of unauthorized denial of service attacks that can bring down critical network services and infrastructure components. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal resources and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where continuous availability is essential. Attackers can craft specific TCP packet sequences that trigger the kernel panic condition, effectively rendering the system unusable until manual intervention or system reboot occurs. The security implications extend to network availability and business continuity, as this vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors to disrupt critical services without requiring sophisticated attack capabilities. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching to version 5.2.0.285 or later, which addresses the kernel panic vulnerability through improved TCP packet validation and processing mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect unusual TCP packet patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, maintaining up-to-date security agent versions and following Cisco's security advisories remains crucial for preventing exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service, where adversaries leverage system weaknesses to disrupt network availability. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of kernel-level security testing and proper input validation in security applications that interact directly with network protocols at the system level. The flaw highlights the necessity of thorough security testing for kernel modules and the potential for seemingly benign network traffic processing to cause catastrophic system failures when proper safeguards are absent.