CVE-2013-3467 in Unified Computing System 6120xp Fabric Interconnect
Summary
by MITRE
Memory leak in the CLI component on Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) 6100 Fabric Interconnect devices, in certain situations that lack a SPAN session, allows local users to cause a denial of service (memory consumption and device reset) via a (1) "show monitor session all" or (2) "show monitor session" command, aka Bug ID CSCug20103.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3467 affects Cisco Unified Computing System UCS 6100 Fabric Interconnect devices and represents a memory leak condition within the Command Line Interface component. This issue specifically manifests when certain monitoring sessions are absent from the system configuration, creating a scenario where local authenticated users can exploit the flaw to consume excessive memory resources and ultimately trigger device reset conditions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates through legitimate administrative commands that are commonly used for network monitoring and troubleshooting purposes, making it difficult to distinguish between normal operational activity and malicious exploitation.
The technical flaw stems from improper memory management within the CLI processing logic when handling SPAN (Switched Port Analyzer) session commands. When users execute "show monitor session all" or "show monitor session" commands without active SPAN sessions present, the system fails to properly release allocated memory resources. This memory leak accumulates over time and can eventually lead to complete memory exhaustion, forcing the device to reset and disrupting network connectivity. The vulnerability operates at the system level within the fabric interconnect's operating environment, making it particularly impactful for network infrastructure reliability. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-401: Improper Release of Memory Before Removing Last Reference, which specifically addresses memory management issues in software applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can compromise network availability and reliability for organizations relying on Cisco UCS infrastructure. Network administrators may experience unexpected device resets during routine monitoring activities, leading to potential service interruptions and requiring manual intervention to restore system functionality. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in production environments where continuous monitoring is essential, as the memory consumption can escalate rapidly and may go unnoticed until system degradation becomes critical. This issue can be exploited by malicious insiders or compromised local accounts, making it a significant concern for organizations with robust access controls but limited monitoring of local administrative activities.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including regular monitoring of system memory consumption and implementing access controls to limit local administrative privileges. Cisco has released patches and updates addressing this specific vulnerability through security advisories that should be deployed immediately. Network administrators should also consider implementing automated monitoring solutions that can detect unusual memory consumption patterns and trigger alerts before complete system failure occurs. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001 which covers Network Denial of Service, and represents a classic example of how seemingly benign administrative commands can be weaponized to cause system instability. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include verification of patch compliance for this specific CVE to ensure complete protection against exploitation attempts.