CVE-2014-0685 in NX-OS
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Nexus 1000V InterCloud 5.2(1)IC1(1.2) and earlier for VMware allows remote attackers to bypass ACL deny statements via crafted (1) IGMPv2 or (2) IGMPv3 packets, aka Bug ID CSCug61691.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0685 affects Cisco Nexus 1000V InterCloud software versions 5.2(1)IC1(1.2) and earlier, specifically within VMware environments where this network virtualization platform is deployed. This issue represents a significant security weakness in the access control list implementation that governs network traffic flow. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of Internet Group Management Protocol version 2 and version 3 packets, which are commonly used for multicast group membership management in network environments. These protocols play a crucial role in managing how multicast traffic is distributed across networks, particularly in virtualized environments where network policies must be strictly enforced.
The technical flaw manifests when the system processes crafted IGMPv2 or IGMPv3 packets that are specifically designed to exploit the ACL filtering mechanism. These malicious packets bypass the intended access control restrictions that should prevent unauthorized traffic from traversing the network. The vulnerability operates at the network protocol level, where the system fails to properly validate or process these specific packet types, allowing attackers to circumvent security policies that would normally block certain traffic flows. This bypass occurs because the system does not adequately distinguish between legitimate IGMP traffic and maliciously crafted packets that exploit implementation gaps in the access control enforcement logic. The flaw essentially creates a pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized network access that should have been blocked by existing security policies, undermining the fundamental purpose of access control lists in network security architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it allows remote attackers to bypass network security controls without requiring local access or elevated privileges. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain access to network segments that should be protected by ACL deny statements, potentially enabling them to perform reconnaissance, establish persistent access points, or launch further attacks against internal network resources. The vulnerability affects the integrity of network security policies and can compromise the confidentiality and availability of network communications. In virtualized environments where the Nexus 1000V serves as a critical network component, this flaw could enable attackers to move laterally within the network infrastructure, potentially accessing sensitive data or disrupting critical services. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter, making detection and mitigation more challenging.
Organizations utilizing affected Cisco Nexus 1000V software should prioritize immediate remediation through official software updates and patches provided by Cisco. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software implementations, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in network security. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and lateral movement within network environments. Network administrators should implement additional monitoring measures to detect anomalous IGMP traffic patterns and consider deploying network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact of such attacks. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper protocol validation in security implementations and underscores the need for comprehensive testing of access control mechanisms in virtualized network environments where traditional security boundaries may be less defined.