CVE-2012-3088 in AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client 3.1.x before 3.1.00495, and 3.2.x, does not check whether an HTTP request originally contains ScanSafe headers, which allows remote attackers to have an unspecified impact via a crafted request, aka Bug ID CSCua13166.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3088 affects Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client versions 3.1.x prior to 3.1.00495 and 3.2.x versions, representing a significant security flaw in the client-side implementation of network security protocols. This issue stems from the client's inadequate validation of HTTP requests, specifically failing to verify the presence of ScanSafe headers that are essential for maintaining secure communication channels. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to manipulate HTTP requests in ways that could compromise the integrity of the security infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests in the client's improper handling of HTTP request validation mechanisms, where the AnyConnect client does not perform adequate checks to determine whether incoming HTTP requests already contain ScanSafe headers. This oversight creates a potential attack vector where malicious actors can craft specially designed HTTP requests that bypass the normal security validation processes. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically within the client-side HTTP processing components that are responsible for managing secure connections and validating security headers. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in the validation of security headers, falling under CWE-200 for improper output handling and CWE-345 for insufficient verification of data integrity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it potentially allows attackers to perform unauthorized actions that could compromise the entire security posture of organizations relying on Cisco AnyConnect for remote access. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description suggests that the consequences could range from data exfiltration to more sophisticated attacks such as man-in-the-middle operations or privilege escalation within the network. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to inject malicious content into secure communications, potentially compromising sensitive information transmitted through the AnyConnect client. This vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad by weakening the confidentiality and integrity of communications, while potentially affecting availability through service disruption or data corruption.
Organizations utilizing affected Cisco AnyConnect versions face significant risks when remote attackers exploit this vulnerability, particularly in environments where sensitive data transmission occurs through secure channels. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the network or client devices, making it a particularly dangerous threat vector. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under the techniques related to command and control communications, where attackers might leverage such flaws to establish persistent access or exfiltrate data. The vulnerability's presence in the client-side implementation also suggests potential implications for the defense-in-depth strategy, as it represents a failure in the client-side security controls that organizations rely upon to protect their network perimeters.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3088 should prioritize immediate patching of affected AnyConnect client versions to the recommended secure releases that address the ScanSafe header validation issue. Network administrators should implement additional monitoring mechanisms to detect anomalous HTTP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on requests that bypass normal header validation. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while maintaining regular security assessments to identify other similar vulnerabilities in their network infrastructure. The recommended approach aligns with industry best practices for vulnerability management and incident response, emphasizing the importance of timely patch deployment and continuous monitoring of security controls to prevent exploitation of such client-side vulnerabilities.