CVE-2012-1344 in IOS
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco IOS 15.1 and 15.2, when a clientless SSL VPN is configured, allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (device reload) by using a web browser to refresh the SSL VPN portal page, as demonstrated by the Android browser, aka Bug ID CSCtr86328.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-1344 represents a critical denial of service weakness in Cisco IOS software versions 15.1 and 15.2 that affects clientless SSL VPN configurations. This flaw specifically targets the handling of web browser requests within the SSL VPN portal environment, creating a scenario where authenticated users can deliberately trigger device instability through routine browser actions. The vulnerability operates through a specific interaction pattern where refreshing the SSL VPN portal page using a web browser causes the affected device to reload its operational state, effectively disrupting legitimate network access for all users relying on the VPN service.
The technical mechanism underlying this vulnerability involves improper state management within the SSL VPN session handling code of Cisco IOS. When a clientless SSL VPN session is established, the system maintains specific session contexts that are processed upon subsequent browser requests. The flaw occurs during the handling of HTTP refresh operations, where the device fails to properly validate or sanitize the incoming request parameters. This processing error causes the system to enter an inconsistent state that ultimately results in a complete device reload. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access to exploit, meaning that an attacker with valid credentials can trigger the denial of service condition without requiring additional privileges or complex attack vectors.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on Cisco IOS devices for remote access services. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the device reload process can last several minutes, during which time all VPN users lose access to network resources. This disruption affects business continuity and can potentially impact critical operations that depend on remote access capabilities. The vulnerability is especially dangerous in environments where multiple users maintain concurrent VPN sessions, as the attack can cascade across the entire user base. Additionally, the fact that the attack can be demonstrated using standard Android browser functionality makes it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and relates to improper input validation patterns that can lead to system instability. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and T1566.002, which involves phishing attacks that can be used to obtain authentication credentials necessary for exploitation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Cisco's security patches and updates, implementing network segmentation to isolate vulnerable devices, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect unusual refresh patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper session management and input validation in network infrastructure software, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing of authentication and session handling components in enterprise network devices.