CVE-2012-1364 in Unified Computing System Software
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) 1.4 and 2.0 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (device reload) via a malformed SNMP request to a Fabric Interconnect (FI) device, aka Bug ID CSCts32452.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/30/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1364 affects Cisco Unified Computing System versions 1.4 and 2.0, specifically targeting the Fabric Interconnect (FI) devices within these systems. This represents a significant security flaw that enables remote authenticated attackers to trigger a denial of service condition leading to complete device reloads. The vulnerability manifests through malformed SNMP requests sent to the Fabric Interconnect, which serves as a critical component in Cisco UCS infrastructure for managing network connectivity and communication between servers and storage devices. Fabric Interconnect devices are essential for maintaining the operational integrity of data center networks, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments relying on Cisco UCS solutions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the SNMP processing mechanisms of the Fabric Interconnect firmware. When an authenticated user sends a specially crafted SNMP request containing malformed data structures or unexpected parameter values, the system fails to properly handle the malformed input during SNMP message parsing. This parsing failure results in a memory corruption condition that ultimately causes the Fabric Interconnect device to crash and automatically reload its operating system. The vulnerability specifically targets the SNMP protocol implementation within the Cisco UCS management plane, where the device fails to validate the integrity of incoming SNMP messages before processing them. This flaw falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, as the malformed SNMP data triggers memory corruption that leads to system instability and subsequent device restarts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as Fabric Interconnect devices serve as critical network infrastructure components that manage connectivity for multiple servers and storage arrays within a data center environment. When these devices experience unexpected reloads, it can result in temporary network outages affecting numerous connected systems and applications that depend on the UCS fabric for communication. The remote authentication requirement means that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials to exploit this vulnerability, but this does not significantly reduce the risk level since legitimate administrative access is often required for normal operations and may be compromised through various attack vectors. The vulnerability affects organizations that have deployed Cisco UCS 1.4 and 2.0 systems, potentially impacting mission-critical applications and services that depend on uninterrupted data center network connectivity. Organizations may experience service degradation, application downtime, and potential data loss during the device reload process, particularly in environments where redundant Fabric Interconnects are not properly configured to provide high availability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through Cisco's official security patches and firmware updates, which address the SNMP input validation issues within the Fabric Interconnect implementation. Network administrators should implement strict access controls and authentication measures to minimize the risk of unauthorized access to systems, as the vulnerability requires authenticated access to exploit. Additionally, implementing network monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify unusual SNMP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001 for network denial of service attacks, where adversaries leverage system vulnerabilities to disrupt network services. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact of such attacks and establish robust incident response procedures that include rapid patch deployment and system recovery protocols. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues within the broader Cisco UCS infrastructure and ensure comprehensive protection against similar threats.