CVE-2012-5422 in As5400xm Universal Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Cisco IOS before 15.3(2)T on AS5400 devices allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (spurious errors) via unknown vectors, aka Bug ID CSCub61009.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5422 represents a significant security flaw within Cisco IOS software versions prior to 15.3(2)T specifically affecting AS5400 devices. This unspecified weakness creates a potential avenue for remote authenticated attackers to disrupt service availability through the generation of spurious errors that ultimately lead to denial of service conditions. The vulnerability was catalogued under Cisco Bug ID CSCub61009, indicating it was recognized and tracked by Cisco's internal vulnerability management systems. The affected AS5400 series devices operate within enterprise networking environments where reliable service availability is paramount for business continuity and network operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability lies in its classification as an unspecified weakness within the IOS operating system that governs Cisco's network infrastructure devices. While the exact code-level flaw remains undisclosed in the public CVE description, the impact manifests through unknown vectors that allow authenticated remote users to trigger system instability. This suggests a potential issue within the IOS kernel or network processing modules where legitimate authenticated sessions can be exploited to cause unexpected system behavior. The spurious error generation indicates a failure in proper input validation, state management, or error handling mechanisms within the device's networking protocols. Such vulnerabilities typically fall under CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation," or CWE-399, which encompasses "Resource Management Errors," depending on the specific implementation details.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5422 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise network reliability and availability for organizations relying on AS5400 devices. When authenticated users can cause spurious errors that lead to denial of service, it creates a scenario where network administrators must contend with unexpected system instability that can affect routing, switching, and overall network performance. The remote aspect of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access to the device, significantly expanding the attack surface and potential impact. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers "Endpoint Denial of Service," and represents a critical concern for network infrastructure security. Organizations may experience cascading failures in network services, particularly in environments where AS5400 devices serve as core routing points or provide critical connectivity services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5422 primarily focus on upgrading affected Cisco IOS software to version 15.3(2)T or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the unspecified vulnerability. Network administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected devices receive the security updates promptly. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can limit the potential impact of authenticated attacks by restricting access to only necessary personnel. Monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual error patterns or service disruptions that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a denial of service issue also necessitates robust incident response procedures and network redundancy planning to minimize business impact during potential exploitation events. Organizations should also consider implementing network behavior analysis tools that can detect anomalous patterns consistent with spurious error generation and potential denial of service conditions.