CVE-2013-1179 in NX-OS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in the (1) SNMP and (2) License Manager implementations in Cisco NX-OS on Nexus 7000 devices 4.x and 5.x before 5.2(5) and 6.x before 6.1(1) and MDS 9000 devices 4.x and 5.x before 5.2(5) allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via a crafted SNMP request, aka Bug ID CSCtx54830.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1179 represents a critical security flaw affecting Cisco NX-OS operating systems deployed on Nexus 7000 and MDS 9000 series network devices. This vulnerability manifests as multiple buffer overflows within the SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) and License Manager components of the affected software versions. The flaw specifically impacts NX-OS versions 4.x and 5.x prior to 5.2(5), 6.x prior to 6.1(1), and MDS 9000 devices running 4.x and 5.x before 5.2(5). The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which occurs when a program writes more data to a buffer than it can hold, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations and leading to arbitrary code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to be authenticated to the device's management interface, though this authentication requirement does not prevent remote exploitation since the vulnerability exists within network services that can be accessed from external networks. The buffer overflow conditions occur when processing crafted SNMP requests that contain maliciously formatted data structures, particularly within the SNMP trap handling mechanisms and license validation processes. When the vulnerable software attempts to process these malformed requests, it fails to properly validate input lengths, causing memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected service processes. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute commands on the compromised device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as compromised network devices can serve as launching points for further attacks within the network infrastructure. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain full control over the affected device, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, intercept traffic, or use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network perimeter. The vulnerability affects core network infrastructure components that are typically critical for network operations, making the potential impact substantial. Organizations running affected Cisco NX-OS versions face significant risk since these devices often serve as core routing and switching infrastructure elements that control network traffic flow and security policies. The vulnerability's presence in both SNMP and License Manager components means that multiple attack vectors exist, increasing the overall risk surface for affected organizations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that address the specific buffer overflow conditions in both SNMP and License Manager implementations. Cisco released patches for affected versions that correct the input validation issues in the vulnerable components, requiring administrators to upgrade their NX-OS software to versions 5.2(5) or later for Nexus 7000 devices and 5.2(5) or later for MDS 9000 devices. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of exploitation, particularly by restricting SNMP access to trusted management stations only. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous SNMP traffic patterns may help identify potential exploitation attempts before they succeed. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches for network infrastructure devices and demonstrates how seemingly routine network management protocols can become attack vectors when proper input validation is absent, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1133 for external remote services that can be exploited to gain initial access to network infrastructure.