CVE-2013-5552 in IOS
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco IOS 12.4(24)MDB9 and earlier on Content Services Gateway (CSG) devices does not properly implement the "parse error drop" feature, which allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via a crafted series of packets, aka Bug ID CSCug90143.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5552 affects Cisco IOS versions 12.4(24)MDB9 and earlier running on Content Services Gateway devices. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the network device's ability to properly handle malformed packet sequences, creating an avenue for unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability specifically targets the implementation of the "parse error drop" functionality within the IOS operating system, which is designed to filter and discard packets that contain parsing errors or malformed structures.
The technical flaw stems from an insufficient validation mechanism within the Content Services Gateway's packet processing pipeline. When the device encounters packets that trigger parse errors, the system should automatically drop these packets to prevent potential exploitation. However, the implementation defect allows attackers to craft specific packet sequences that can bypass this protective mechanism, enabling them to establish unauthorized communication channels or access restricted network resources. This vulnerability operates at the network protocol level, specifically affecting how the device handles malformed or unexpected packet structures during the parsing phase of packet processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides remote attackers with the capability to circumvent access controls that are fundamental to network security. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to network resources, potentially leading to data breaches, network disruption, or further escalation of privileges within the affected network infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to attempt exploitation, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network segmentation is intended to protect sensitive assets. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and can compromise the integrity of the network's access control mechanisms.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Cisco IOS versions that contain the patched implementation of the parse error drop feature. The recommended solution involves applying the appropriate software updates from Cisco that address the specific parsing error handling mechanism. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring and intrusion detection measures to identify potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which describes weaknesses in memory handling, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1210 which involves exploitation of remote services through network-based attacks. Organizations should conduct thorough network assessments to identify all affected CSG devices and ensure complete remediation across their infrastructure to prevent potential compromise of critical network resources.