CVE-2013-3410 in IPS NME
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) Software on IPS NME devices before 7.0(9)E4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reload) via malformed IPv4 packets that trigger incorrect memory allocation, aka Bug ID CSCua61977.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-3410 affects Cisco Intrusion Prevention System IPS NME devices running software versions prior to 7.0(9)E4. This represents a critical denial of service flaw that can be exploited remotely by attackers to force device reloads, effectively disrupting network security operations. The issue specifically manifests when the affected IPS software encounters malformed IPv4 packets that trigger incorrect memory allocation behavior within the device's processing mechanisms.
The technical flaw stems from improper handling of malformed IPv4 packet structures within the Cisco IPS software stack. When these specially crafted packets are processed by the device, they cause the system to allocate memory incorrectly, leading to system instability and ultimately forcing the device to reload its operating system. This memory allocation error creates a condition where the device cannot properly handle the malformed packet data, resulting in the cascading failure that manifests as a complete device restart. The vulnerability is classified as a memory corruption issue that directly impacts the device's ability to maintain stable operation under normal network traffic conditions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to network security infrastructure as it allows remote attackers to disrupt security monitoring capabilities without requiring authentication or physical access to the device. Network administrators face the potential for service interruptions that could leave critical network segments unprotected during the device reload process. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be executed remotely over the network, making it accessible to adversaries who may be located anywhere on the internet. The device reload operation effectively creates a window of vulnerability where the network security system is temporarily offline, potentially allowing other attacks to go undetected during the recovery period.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions, as the improper memory allocation can lead to memory corruption scenarios. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1498.001, which covers Network Denial of Service, and T1566.001, which involves spearphishing attachments, as attackers could potentially leverage this flaw in broader attack campaigns. Organizations utilizing affected Cisco IPS NME devices should prioritize immediate patching to version 7.0(9)E4 or later, as this update addresses the memory allocation flaw that enables the denial of service condition. Network segmentation and monitoring of suspicious IPv4 traffic patterns can serve as interim mitigations while patches are deployed, though these measures do not address the root cause of the vulnerability.
The broader implications extend beyond simple device availability issues, as this vulnerability can be exploited to disrupt network security operations and potentially mask other malicious activities during the device recovery period. Organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring for unusual device restart patterns and establish incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current security software versions and highlights the risks associated with running outdated network security infrastructure that may contain unpatched vulnerabilities.