CVE-2010-2814 in ASA
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Transport Layer Security (TLS) implementation on Cisco Adaptive Security Appliances (ASA) 5500 series devices with software 7.2 before 7.2(5), 8.0 before 8.0(5.15), 8.1 before 8.1(2.44), 8.2 before 8.2(2.17), and 8.3 before 8.3(1.6) and Cisco PIX Security Appliances 500 series devices allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reload) via a sequence of crafted TLS packets, aka Bug ID CSCtf37506.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2814 represents a critical weakness in the TLS implementation of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliances and PIX Security Appliances, specifically affecting multiple software versions within the 5500 and 500 series device families. This flaw manifests as a denial of service condition that can be triggered remotely through the careful construction of TLS packets, potentially leading to complete device reloads and service disruption. The vulnerability was catalogued under Bug ID CSCtf37506, indicating its identification within Cisco's internal tracking systems and highlighting the severity of impact on enterprise network security infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of TLS protocol negotiations within the affected Cisco ASA and PIX device implementations. When these devices receive specially crafted TLS packets, the malformed data sequences cause the security appliance to enter an unstable state where the device must restart to recover from the processing error. This represents a fundamental flaw in the protocol stack implementation where insufficient input validation and error handling mechanisms allow malicious actors to exploit the TLS processing logic. The vulnerability operates at the network layer where TLS handshakes are established, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered without requiring authentication or prior access to the device configuration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple service interruption, as it directly compromises the availability of critical network security services. When a Cisco ASA or PIX device reloads due to this vulnerability, it creates immediate network disruption for all traffic passing through that security appliance, potentially affecting thousands of users and applications depending on the network topology. The remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger these device reloads from outside the network perimeter, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where network security appliances serve as primary defense mechanisms. Organizations relying on these devices for perimeter protection face significant risk of extended outages and potential compromise of their overall security posture.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates to the patched versions specified in the CVE advisory. The affected versions include specific releases within the 7.2, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3 software series, making it essential for network administrators to verify their device software versions and apply appropriate patches. Security teams should also implement network monitoring to detect unusual TLS traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-248, which covers "Uncaught Exception," and falls under ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks, emphasizing the need for both preventive and detective security controls to protect against this specific threat vector targeting enterprise network security infrastructure.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper protocol implementation and robust error handling in network security devices. The flaw represents a failure in the security appliance's ability to gracefully handle malformed input data, which should be a fundamental requirement for any device handling network traffic. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their security infrastructure to identify similar implementation gaps in other network devices and protocols. The incident underscores the necessity of maintaining current security patches and implementing layered defense strategies that can mitigate the impact of such vulnerabilities even when they are successfully exploited, ensuring that network availability and security remain intact during potential attack scenarios.