CVE-2013-1173 in AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in ciscod.exe in the Cisco Security Service in Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client (aka AnyConnect VPN Client) allows local users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors, aka Bug ID CSCud14143.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-1173 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow condition within the ciscod.exe component of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client's Security Service. This flaw exists in the Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client software that provides secure remote access solutions for enterprise networks. The vulnerability specifically affects the ciscod.exe process which serves as a core security daemon responsible for managing various security functions within the AnyConnect environment. The buffer overflow occurs within the heap memory management system, making it particularly dangerous as it can lead to arbitrary code execution and privilege escalation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the ciscod.exe process. When processing certain inputs or parameters, the application fails to properly bounds-check data before copying it into heap-allocated memory buffers. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical data structures or executing malicious code with elevated privileges. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that multiple attack pathways may exist, making the vulnerability particularly challenging to fully characterize and defend against. The heap-based nature of the overflow means that the memory corruption occurs in the heap portion of the application's memory space, which can be leveraged to manipulate program execution flow through techniques such as return-oriented programming or direct memory manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on Cisco AnyConnect for remote access security. Local users with access to a system running the AnyConnect client can exploit this vulnerability to escalate their privileges from standard user level to administrator or system level access. This privilege escalation capability fundamentally undermines the security model of the VPN client and can provide attackers with complete control over the affected system. The implications extend beyond individual system compromise as attackers who gain elevated privileges can potentially access sensitive network resources, extract confidential data, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. Organizations using AnyConnect for remote workforce access face particular risk since the vulnerability can be exploited by malicious insiders or compromised local accounts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1173 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Cisco, as the vendor has released security advisories and patches addressing this specific heap overflow vulnerability. Network administrators should implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges on systems running AnyConnect clients, reducing the attack surface for local exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068, "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation", highlighting the specific threat vectors targeting local privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing process monitoring and anomaly detection to identify potential exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual memory allocation patterns or privilege escalation activities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include verification of patched AnyConnect installations to ensure complete remediation across all network endpoints. The security community has identified this as a critical vulnerability requiring immediate attention, with the potential for widespread exploitation given the prevalence of AnyConnect deployments in enterprise environments.