CVE-2014-0669 in ASR 5000
Summary
by MITRE
The Wireless Session Protocol (WSP) feature in the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) component on Cisco ASR 5000 series devices allows remote attackers to bypass intended Top-Up payment restrictions via unspecified WSP packets, aka Bug ID CSCuh28371.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0669 resides within the Wireless Session Protocol implementation of Cisco's ASR 5000 series mobile network infrastructure devices, specifically within the Gateway GPRS Support Node component. This critical flaw affects the GGSN's handling of WSP packets, which are essential for managing wireless session data and payment processing within mobile networks. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to exploit a weakness in the payment restriction mechanisms that are supposed to prevent unauthorized top-up transactions. The issue stems from improper validation of WSP packet contents that govern how payment information is processed and validated during mobile data sessions, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent established billing controls. The vulnerability impacts the fundamental security model of mobile network operators who rely on these devices to enforce payment policies and prevent fraudulent usage. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in input validation and access control mechanisms, specifically categorized under CWE-284 for improper access control. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, where adversaries exploit protocol implementations to gain unauthorized access to restricted functions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted WSP packets that manipulate the payment validation process within the GGSN component. Attackers can send specially formatted WSP messages that appear legitimate to the system but contain modified payment parameters that bypass the intended top-up restrictions. This allows unauthorized users to perform premium rate services or access restricted content without proper payment authorization. The flaw exists in how the system processes WSP session initiation and payment validation requests, where the authentication and authorization checks are insufficient to properly validate the legitimacy of payment transactions. The GGSN's WSP implementation fails to properly enforce the access control policies that should prevent unauthorized payment processing, creating a persistent security gap that can be exploited repeatedly. The vulnerability does not require authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by anyone with network access to the affected devices. This weakness represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, where the system does not adequately verify payment authorization before allowing session establishment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple financial loss to encompass broader security implications for mobile network operators and their customers. Organizations using Cisco ASR 5000 series devices face potential revenue loss through unauthorized premium service usage and fraudulent top-up transactions that bypass legitimate payment systems. The vulnerability could enable attackers to access premium content, services, or data plans without proper authorization, leading to significant financial implications for network operators. Mobile network operators may experience service disruption as the system fails to properly enforce payment restrictions, potentially leading to resource exhaustion or unauthorized access to network resources. The security breach could also compromise customer data and privacy, as the system's payment validation mechanisms fail to properly authenticate transactions. This vulnerability affects the integrity of the mobile network's billing system and could potentially enable more sophisticated attacks if attackers can leverage the access to perform additional unauthorized actions within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0669 should focus on immediate patch deployment from Cisco, which addresses the WSP packet validation issues in the GGSN component. Network operators must implement network segmentation to isolate critical GGSN components and limit the attack surface available to potential adversaries. Configuration changes should include stricter access controls on WSP packet processing and enhanced monitoring of payment-related traffic flows. Implementing intrusion detection systems capable of identifying anomalous WSP packet patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also establish enhanced logging and monitoring of payment transactions to identify unauthorized access patterns. The implementation of network access control lists and firewall rules to restrict WSP traffic between trusted network segments can provide additional defense layers. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network components. Additionally, network operators should implement proper incident response procedures to quickly address any exploitation attempts and maintain detailed audit trails of all payment processing activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect critical network infrastructure components.