CVE-2011-0350 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 CSCth41891, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-0349.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0350 represents a critical denial of service flaw affecting Cisco IOS software version 12.4(24)MD and earlier releases on Cisco Content Services Gateway Second Generation devices. This vulnerability specifically targets the network processing capabilities of the CSG2 platform, creating a scenario where remote attackers can manipulate device behavior through carefully constructed TCP packet sequences. The issue manifests as device hang or complete reload conditions that effectively render the network service unavailable to legitimate users. The vulnerability operates outside the scope of CVE-2011-0349, indicating it represents a distinct attack vector within the same software release, which complicates remediation efforts for network administrators managing multiple affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of TCP packet structures within the IOS processing stack of the CSG2 device. When the device receives specially crafted TCP packets, the packet processing logic fails to properly validate or manage the incoming data flow, leading to a condition where the device's network processing threads become unstable or enter an infinite loop state. This flaw resides in the TCP/IP stack implementation where the device does not adequately sanitize incoming packet headers or payload data, allowing maliciously formatted TCP segments to trigger unexpected behavior in the operating system's network handling modules. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input data leading to buffer overflows or resource exhaustion conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0350 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential business continuity risks for organizations relying on content delivery services. Network administrators face the challenge of identifying and mitigating this vulnerability without disrupting legitimate network traffic, as the attack requires only remote access to send malformed TCP packets to the affected device. The vulnerability affects the availability of content services, potentially impacting web delivery, streaming media, and other content distribution functions that organizations depend upon for their operations. Organizations with multiple CSG2 devices deployed in their network infrastructure face increased risk exposure, as the vulnerability can be exploited to target any device within the network segment where these systems operate.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of software updates to the affected IOS versions, specifically upgrading to 12.4(24)MD2 or later releases that contain the necessary patches. Network administrators should implement access control measures to limit exposure by restricting TCP packet access to only trusted sources, though this approach provides only partial protection. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and monitoring for related vulnerabilities, as it demonstrates the complexity of network security management in enterprise environments. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to isolate CSG2 devices from critical network segments, reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for anomalous TCP packet patterns can help identify potential exploitation attempts before they cause complete service disruption, aligning with defensive strategies outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for network defense and incident response activities.