CVE-2010-2824 in Ace Module
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability on the Cisco Application Control Engine (ACE) Module with software A2(1.x) before A2(1.6), A2(2.x) before A2(2.3), and A2(3.x) before A2(3.1) for Catalyst 6500 series switches and 7600 series routers allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reload) via a sequence of SSL packets, aka Bug ID CSCta20756.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2021
The Cisco Application Control Engine module represents a critical component within Cisco's network infrastructure, specifically designed to provide advanced application control and load balancing capabilities for enterprise networks. This module operates as part of the Catalyst 6500 series switches and 7600 series routers, serving as a dedicated appliance for managing application traffic and ensuring optimal network performance. The vulnerability in question affects specific software versions of the ACE module, creating a significant security risk that could compromise network availability and operational continuity. The affected software versions include A2(1.x) before A2(1.6), A2(2.x) before A2(2.3), and A2(3.x) before A2(3.1), indicating a widespread impact across multiple release branches of the software platform.
The technical flaw manifests through a specific vulnerability in how the ACE module processes SSL packets, creating a condition where malformed or specially crafted sequences of SSL traffic can trigger a device reload. This particular weakness operates at the protocol processing layer, where the module fails to properly handle certain edge cases in SSL packet sequences, leading to an uncontrolled system state that results in complete device restart. The vulnerability does not require authentication or specific privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by remote attackers without prior access to the network. The nature of this flaw suggests a buffer overflow or improper state management issue within the SSL processing engine, where the system does not adequately validate or sanitize incoming packet sequences before processing them.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, potentially creating cascading effects within enterprise networks that depend on continuous availability of application control services. When a device reload occurs, it disrupts all application traffic being managed by that ACE module, potentially affecting hundreds or thousands of users depending on the network architecture. Network administrators may experience significant downtime while devices restart and re-establish connections, with potential data loss during the reload process. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target these devices from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed network services. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation further compounds the risk, as it allows for widespread compromise without the need for additional reconnaissance or access privileges.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the relevant Cisco security patches and updates that address the specific SSL processing flaw. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual patterns of SSL traffic that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions in heap-based memory management, and potentially CWE-122 for buffer overflow in stack-based memory. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004 for endpoint denial of service and T1566.001 for spearphishing via web attachments, as attackers might leverage this vulnerability during initial compromise phases. The Cisco Security Advisory and subsequent patch releases provide specific guidance for identifying vulnerable systems and implementing protective measures, while network administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to ensure all affected devices receive proper remediation.