CVE-2010-2819 in Firewall Services Module Software
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the SunRPC inspection feature on the Cisco Firewall Services Module (FWSM) with software 3.1 before 3.1(17.2), 3.2 before 3.2(16.1), 4.0 before 4.0(10.1), and 4.1 before 4.1(1.1) for Catalyst 6500 series switches and 7600 series routers allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reload) via crafted SunRPC messages, aka Bug ID CSCte61622.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-2819 represents a critical flaw within the SunRPC inspection functionality of Cisco's Firewall Services Module FWSM. This issue affects multiple software versions including 3.1.x prior to 3.1(17.2), 3.2.x prior to 3.2(16.1), 4.0.x prior to 4.0(10.1), and 4.1.x prior to 4.1(1.1) running on Catalyst 6500 series switches and 7600 series routers. The vulnerability manifests as an unspecified weakness in how the FWSM processes incoming SunRPC messages, creating a potential attack vector for remote threat actors to disrupt network operations. The specific nature of the flaw remains undisclosed in the public CVE record, but its impact is clearly defined as enabling denial of service conditions that result in complete device reloads. This represents a fundamental failure in input validation and error handling within the network security appliance's protocol inspection capabilities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the crafting of malicious SunRPC messages that are specifically designed to trigger the underlying flaw in the FWSM's inspection engine. When these crafted messages are processed by the affected firewall module, they cause the device to enter an unrecoverable state requiring a complete system reload to restore normal operation. The SunRPC protocol inspection feature is responsible for examining and validating remote procedure call traffic passing through the firewall, but the vulnerability demonstrates a critical oversight in how the system handles malformed or specially constructed RPC messages. This flaw operates at the protocol inspection layer, bypassing normal access controls and authentication mechanisms since the attack is executed through legitimate network traffic processing. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which covers improper validation of array indices, and potentially CWE-122, relating to buffer overflow conditions, though the exact technical mechanism remains unspecified.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple service disruption, as it provides attackers with a method to systematically disable network security infrastructure. When a Cisco FWSM device experiences a reload due to this vulnerability, it creates a window of network exposure where traffic is no longer properly filtered and monitored, potentially allowing unauthorized access to protected network segments. The attack requires no authentication credentials and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous for network administrators who may not immediately detect the attack vector. Organizations relying on these firewalls for network segmentation and security policy enforcement face significant operational risk, as the device reload effectively removes the security appliance from service until manual intervention occurs. This vulnerability represents a classic case of a remote code execution flaw that manifests as a denial of service, which is categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as a disruption technique that affects availability and network infrastructure integrity.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the relevant Cisco security patches and updates released for the affected software versions. The recommended approach involves upgrading to software versions that contain the necessary fixes for the SunRPC inspection vulnerability, with particular attention to the specific version numbers mentioned in the CVE description. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around RPC service endpoints. Administrators should also consider implementing additional network access controls and firewall rules to limit exposure to potentially malicious SunRPC traffic. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches for network infrastructure components and highlights the need for comprehensive vulnerability management programs. Organizations should conduct thorough risk assessments to identify all affected devices and prioritize remediation efforts based on the criticality of the network segments protected by the vulnerable FWSM modules. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be performed to validate the effectiveness of implemented mitigations and identify potential additional vulnerabilities in the network security infrastructure.