CVE-2012-0335 in ASA
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Adaptive Security Appliances (ASA) 5500 series devices with software 7.2 through 8.4 do not properly perform proxy authentication during attempts to cut through a firewall, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a connection attempt, aka Bug ID CSCtx42746.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0335 affects Cisco Adaptive Security Appliances (ASA) 5500 series devices operating with software versions 7.2 through 8.4, representing a significant security flaw in network firewall protection mechanisms. This issue specifically impacts the proxy authentication process within the firewall's connection handling procedures, creating a potential pathway for unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of authentication during connection attempts that traverse the firewall's protective boundaries, making it particularly concerning for organizations relying on these devices for network security. The flaw enables remote attackers to exploit the authentication mechanism to gain access to information that should remain protected within the network infrastructure, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of network communications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the ASA device's failure to properly validate and authenticate proxy connections during firewall traversal attempts. When a connection attempt is made through the firewall, the system should perform rigorous proxy authentication checks to verify the legitimacy of the connection request. However, in affected versions, the authentication process becomes compromised, allowing attackers to bypass certain security controls. This weakness specifically manifests during the cut-through firewall connection process where the device should enforce strict proxy authentication protocols. The flaw operates at the application layer of network security, affecting how the ASA handles authentication requests and potentially enabling attackers to manipulate the authentication flow to gain unauthorized access. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, while the ATT&CK framework would categorize this under privilege escalation and initial access techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0335 extends beyond simple information disclosure, potentially enabling attackers to establish unauthorized access to network resources that should be protected by the firewall. Organizations utilizing affected ASA 5500 series devices face risks including unauthorized network access, data exfiltration, and potential compromise of internal network segments. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the network infrastructure, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with distributed network environments. Network administrators may experience unauthorized access attempts that could go undetected for extended periods, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access to sensitive network resources. The impact is especially severe in environments where the ASA devices serve as primary network security controls, as this vulnerability directly undermines the fundamental security posture of the protected network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0335 require immediate implementation of software updates and configuration changes to address the authentication bypass vulnerability. Cisco released patches and software updates specifically designed to resolve this issue, and organizations should prioritize applying these updates to all affected ASA 5500 series devices. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring controls to detect unusual authentication patterns or connection attempts that may indicate exploitation attempts. Configuration changes may include strengthening proxy authentication requirements, implementing more rigorous connection validation procedures, and establishing enhanced logging mechanisms to track authentication events. The vulnerability's classification as a critical security issue means that organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure that all ASA devices remain compliant with current security standards, while incident response procedures should be updated to address potential exploitation attempts related to this specific vulnerability.