CVE-2014-0719 in IPS
Summary
by MITRE
The control-plane access-list implementation in Cisco IPS Software before 7.1(8p2)E4 and 7.2 before 7.2(2)E4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (MainApp process outage) via crafted packets to TCP port 7000, aka Bug ID CSCui67394.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-0719 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Cisco IPS Software implementations that affects versions prior to specific patch releases. This vulnerability specifically targets the control-plane access-list functionality, which serves as a crucial component for network security policy enforcement within Cisco's intrusion prevention systems. The flaw manifests when the system processes malformed or specially crafted packets destined for TCP port 7000, a port commonly used for Cisco's control plane communications and management interfaces. The vulnerability impacts both the 7.1 and 7.2 software release series, creating a widespread risk across multiple generations of Cisco's IPS solutions that organizations rely upon for network security monitoring and threat prevention.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the MainApp process of the IPS software, which handles the control-plane operations for access-list processing. When maliciously crafted packets are received on TCP port 7000, the system fails to properly handle the malformed data structures, leading to an uncontrolled process termination that results in the complete outage of the MainApp process. This process outage effectively renders the entire IPS appliance unable to function as a security device, eliminating its ability to monitor network traffic, detect threats, or enforce security policies. The vulnerability operates at the protocol level, exploiting weaknesses in how the software interprets and processes access-list related control plane messages, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered remotely without requiring authentication or elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple service disruption, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of affected networks. Organizations relying on Cisco IPS appliances for network protection face the risk of complete security device failure, leaving their networks exposed to potential threats during the outage period. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the denial of service condition from external network positions without requiring physical access or network credentials, making it particularly attractive to malicious actors seeking to disrupt network operations. The specific timing of the vulnerability's exploitation, targeting the MainApp process, means that even if other system components remain functional, the core security functionality becomes completely unavailable. This creates a cascading effect where network administrators lose visibility into their network traffic and threat detection capabilities, potentially allowing malicious activities to go undetected while the device remains non-operational.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected Cisco IPS appliances to address this vulnerability, with the recommended software versions being 7.1(8p2)E4 and 7.2(2)E4 or later releases. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which covers insufficient input validation, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. Network security teams should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to TCP port 7000, while monitoring for unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should maintain robust backup and recovery procedures for their IPS infrastructure, as the complete process outage could require system restarts or even hardware replacement in severe cases. The vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security updates and continuous monitoring of network security devices to prevent exploitation of control plane vulnerabilities that can have catastrophic effects on network security infrastructure.