CVE-2011-4650 in Data Center Network Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Data Center Network Manager is affected by Excessive Logging During a TCP Flood on Java Ports. If the size of server.log becomes very big because of too much logging by the DCNM server, then the CPU utilization increases. Known Affected Releases: 5.2(1). Known Fixed Releases: 6.0(0)SL1(0.14) 5.2(2.73)S0. Product identification: CSCtt15295.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2019
Cisco Data Center Network Manager version 5.2(1) contains a vulnerability that manifests as excessive logging during TCP flood attacks on Java ports, creating a significant performance degradation scenario. This flaw specifically impacts the server.log file which accumulates massive amounts of log data when the system encounters high volumes of TCP traffic directed at Java application ports. The vulnerability stems from the system's logging mechanism failing to properly throttle or filter log entries during high-traffic conditions, leading to uncontrolled log file growth that consumes substantial system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the DCNM server's Java-based application components that handle network management protocols and services. When subjected to TCP flood attacks targeting Java ports, the system generates an excessive number of log entries for each incoming connection attempt or network event. This logging behavior is exacerbated by the lack of rate limiting or log filtering mechanisms that would normally prevent such voluminous output during abnormal network conditions. The server.log file grows without bounds, causing the system to spend excessive CPU cycles processing and writing log data rather than performing legitimate network management functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability creates a denial of service condition where normal system operations become severely degraded due to resource exhaustion. As the server.log file size increases dramatically, the CPU utilization spikes proportionally because the system must continuously write and manage the growing log files. This performance degradation affects the DCNM server's ability to process legitimate network management tasks, potentially causing delays in network monitoring, configuration changes, or other critical management functions. The vulnerability essentially transforms a legitimate network management system into a resource sink during attack conditions.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-770, which addresses allocation of resources without limits or with inadequate limits, specifically manifesting as uncontrolled resource consumption during network attack conditions. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability enables the T1498 tactic of 'Network Denial of Service' by creating conditions that consume system resources and prevent normal operations. The issue demonstrates poor resource management practices in network management systems, where defensive mechanisms fail to prevent resource exhaustion during attack scenarios. Organizations implementing DCNM should consider upgrading to the fixed releases mentioned in the advisory, specifically versions 6.0(0)SL1(0.14) or 5.2(2.73)S0, which contain enhanced logging controls and resource management features to prevent such excessive logging behaviors during high-traffic conditions.