CVE-2011-0349 in IOS
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Cisco IOS 12.4(24)MD before 12.4(24)MD2 on the Cisco Content Services Gateway Second Generation (aka CSG2) allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device hang or reload) via crafted TCP packets, aka Bug ID CSCth17178, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-0350.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0349 represents a critical denial of service weakness within Cisco IOS software version 12.4(24)MD and earlier releases on Cisco Content Services Gateway Second Generation devices. This flaw specifically affects the network infrastructure component responsible for content delivery and caching services, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on secure content distribution. The vulnerability manifests through crafted TCP packet sequences that can trigger system instability, leading to device hang conditions or complete device reloads. The issue was catalogued under Bug ID CSCth17178, distinguishing it from other related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2011-0350 which affects different system components or protocols.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the TCP processing mechanisms of the affected Cisco IOS versions. When the CSG2 device receives specially crafted TCP packets, the system fails to properly handle the malformed data structures, resulting in unpredictable behavior that can escalate to complete system failure. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of input boundaries, and represents a classic example of how malformed network traffic can be exploited to disrupt service availability. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers need not have physical access to the device or be on the same network segment, making it particularly concerning for publicly accessible network infrastructure.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to enterprise network availability and business continuity. Organizations utilizing CSG2 devices for content delivery services face potential disruption of critical web traffic, caching operations, and content distribution capabilities. The device hang or reload conditions can result in extended downtime for content services, potentially affecting thousands of end users simultaneously. Network administrators may experience challenges in maintaining service level agreements, particularly in environments where content availability is mission-critical. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to perform persistent denial of service attacks, potentially requiring manual intervention to restore device functionality and system stability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0349 should prioritize immediate software patching to the affected Cisco IOS versions, specifically upgrading to 12.4(24)MD2 or later releases that contain the necessary security fixes. Network administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect unusual TCP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, firewall and intrusion prevention system configurations should be reviewed to limit unnecessary TCP connections to affected devices, while implementing rate limiting and connection tracking mechanisms. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service, emphasizes the importance of network segmentation and access control measures. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in their network infrastructure, while maintaining detailed incident response procedures for handling potential exploitation attempts.