CVE-2013-1189 in uBR 10000
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Universal Broadband (aka uBR) 10000 series routers, when an IPv4/IPv6 dual-stack modem is used, allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (routing-engine reload) via unspecified changes to IP address assignments, aka Bug ID CSCue15313.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1189 affects Cisco Universal Broadband uBR 10000 series routers operating in dual-stack IPv4/IPv6 environments. This issue represents a critical denial of service weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers to force routing engine reloads, effectively disrupting network connectivity and service availability. The vulnerability specifically manifests when IPv4/IPv6 dual-stack modems are configured, making it particularly relevant to modern network infrastructures that support both addressing protocols simultaneously. The bug was catalogued under Cisco Bug ID CSCue15313, indicating its identification within Cisco's internal tracking systems.
The technical flaw underlying this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the routing engine's handling of IP address assignment changes in dual-stack environments. When modifications occur to IP address configurations through unspecified changes to IP address assignments, the routing engine fails to properly process these transitions and subsequently reloads itself. This behavior demonstrates a lack of proper error handling and state management within the network device's firmware, creating a condition where legitimate network operations can trigger system instability. The vulnerability exploits the interaction between IPv4 and IPv6 protocol handling within the dual-stack configuration, suggesting weaknesses in the protocol interoperability mechanisms implemented in the router's software architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise network reliability and availability. When the routing engine reloads due to this flaw, network traffic experiences temporary interruption as the system reinitializes its routing tables and protocol processing components. In production environments, this could result in significant downtime for services dependent on the affected routers, particularly in scenarios where redundant routing paths are not properly configured or where the reload process introduces additional delays. The remote exploitability of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access or local network credentials to trigger the denial of service condition, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible network segments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Cisco to address the underlying software flaw. Network administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual routing engine reload patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-248, an unspecified flaw in the software, and represents a specific instance of improper handling of protocol transitions in network infrastructure. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing routing engine reload events. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves network disruption through manipulation of network infrastructure devices, making it a significant concern for organizations maintaining critical network services and requiring robust cybersecurity defenses.