CVE-2013-3464 in IOS XR
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco IOS XR allows local users to cause a denial of service (Silicon Packet Processor memory corruption, improper mutex handling, and device reload) by starting an outbound flood of large ICMP Echo Request packets and stopping this with a CTRL-C sequence, aka Bug ID CSCui60347.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-3464 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Cisco IOS XR software that specifically targets the Silicon Packet Processor architecture. This issue affects network devices running IOS XR operating systems and demonstrates how improper handling of network packet processing can lead to complete system failure. The vulnerability manifests when local users exploit a specific sequence involving ICMP Echo Request packets, leveraging the underlying hardware processing capabilities to trigger memory corruption events. The flaw resides in the improper mutex handling mechanisms that govern concurrent access to shared resources during packet processing operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves a precise sequence of operations that begins with initiating an outbound flood of large ICMP Echo Request packets. This particular packet type, commonly used for network diagnostics and ping operations, becomes weaponized when processed through the Silicon Packet Processor subsystem. The malicious user must carefully time the packet generation and then abruptly terminate the process using CTRL-C sequence to achieve the desired effect. The mutex handling mechanism fails to properly synchronize access to memory regions, causing corruption when multiple threads attempt to modify shared data structures simultaneously. This improper synchronization leads to memory corruption within the Silicon Packet Processor memory space, which ultimately results in a complete device reload and denial of service condition.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass complete network infrastructure compromise. Network administrators face the risk of unauthorized users gaining the ability to render critical network equipment unusable through relatively simple local access methods. The device reload process effectively removes all active network services until manual intervention occurs, potentially disrupting network connectivity for extended periods. This vulnerability particularly affects service provider networks where uptime is critical, as the denial of service can impact multiple customers simultaneously. The local nature of the attack means that any user with access to the device console or network management interfaces can potentially exploit this flaw, making it a significant concern for privileged access control and network segmentation policies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-3464 focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures to prevent exploitation. Cisco released security advisories and patches addressing the underlying mutex handling issues within the IOS XR software, requiring organizations to apply the appropriate updates to their network equipment. Network administrators should implement strict access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized local access attempts that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-362, which describes "Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization," and represents a classic example of improper mutex handling in multi-threaded environments. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, as local users can leverage the flaw to gain increased system control and disrupt network operations. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access control lists to limit local access to critical network infrastructure, reducing the attack surface available to potential exploiters.