CVE-2012-3899 in IPS 4270
Summary
by MITRE
sensorApp on Cisco IPS 4200 series sensors 6.0, 6.2, and 7.0 does not properly allocate memory, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and process crash, and traffic-inspection outage) via network traffic, aka Bug ID CSCtn23051.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3899 affects the sensorApp component of Cisco IPS 4200 series sensors operating on versions 6.0, 6.2, and 7.0. This represents a critical memory management flaw that fundamentally compromises the device's stability and operational integrity. The issue stems from improper memory allocation practices within the sensor application, creating a condition where malicious network traffic can trigger unintended memory corruption. The vulnerability specifically targets the traffic inspection capabilities of these security appliances, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on these devices for network protection.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted network packets that, when processed by the affected sensorApp, cause memory allocation failures. This flaw falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, as the system fails to properly validate memory boundaries during allocation processes. The memory corruption results in process crashes that subsequently lead to complete traffic inspection outages, effectively disabling the security appliance's ability to monitor and filter network traffic. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability remotely without requiring authentication, making it a severe threat vector for network security operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3899 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass complete network security compromise. When the sensorApp crashes and restarts, network traffic inspection capabilities become unavailable, leaving the network exposed to potential threats that would normally be detected and mitigated by the IPS system. This creates a window of vulnerability where malicious traffic can traverse the network undetected, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized access, or other security incidents. The vulnerability affects organizations using Cisco IPS 4200 series appliances in critical network segments, where the loss of traffic inspection capabilities can have cascading effects on overall network security posture.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through official Cisco security patches and updates. The mitigation strategy should include implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, monitoring for potential exploitation attempts, and maintaining backup security measures during the patching process. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1499.004 (Endpoint Denial of Service) and represents a privilege escalation vector that can be leveraged by threat actors to disrupt security operations. Network administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing this vulnerability type. The affected Cisco IPS 4200 series sensors require immediate attention through official patch management processes to prevent potential security breaches and maintain network integrity.