CVE-2013-1209 in NX-OS
Summary
by MITRE
The encryption functionality in the Virtual Supervisor Module (VSM) to Virtual Ethernet Module (VEM) communication component in Cisco NX-OS on the Nexus 1000V does not properly authenticate VSM/VEM packets, which allows remote attackers to disable packet-level encryption and integrity protection via crafted packets, aka Bug ID CSCud14710.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-1209 represents a critical flaw in the Cisco Nexus 1000V virtual switch platform's security architecture. This issue resides within the Virtual Supervisor Module (VSM) to Virtual Ethernet Module (VEM) communication mechanism, which forms a fundamental component of Cisco's virtualized network infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically targets the encryption functionality that should ensure secure communication between these two modules, creating a significant security gap that can be exploited by remote attackers. The flaw manifests as improper authentication of packets exchanged between the VSM and VEM components, undermining the cryptographic protections that should safeguard network traffic within the virtualized environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from a failure in the authentication process that occurs during VSM/VEM communication. When attackers craft specific malicious packets, they can exploit this weakness to disable the packet-level encryption and integrity protection mechanisms that are supposed to secure the communication channel. This allows unauthorized parties to intercept, modify, or inject packets into the virtual network without detection. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor that bypasses the intended cryptographic security measures, rendering the encryption functionality ineffective. The flaw is particularly concerning because it affects the core communication protocol between management and data plane components, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to network control information and compromise the integrity of virtual network operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple encryption bypass, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of Cisco Nexus 1000V deployments. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can potentially disrupt network operations, gain unauthorized access to virtual network traffic, and compromise the overall integrity of the virtualized infrastructure. This weakness creates opportunities for man-in-the-middle attacks, data interception, and potential network disruption that could affect enterprise networks relying on Cisco's virtual switching solutions. The vulnerability affects organizations using Cisco NX-OS software on Nexus 1000V platforms, which are commonly deployed in data center virtualization environments where network security is paramount.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations to address the security gap in their virtual network infrastructure. Cisco has released patches and updates to address this specific issue, and administrators should prioritize applying these security updates to their Nexus 1000V deployments. Additional protective measures may include network segmentation, enhanced monitoring of VSM/VEM communication patterns, and implementation of alternative authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in authentication mechanisms, and could be leveraged by threat actors following ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation. Regular security assessments and network monitoring should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure continued protection of virtualized network environments against similar vulnerabilities.