CVE-2014-2107 in Switch
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco IOS 12.2 and 15.0 through 15.3, when used with the Kailash FPGA before 2.6 on RSP720-3C-10GE and RSP720-3CXL-10GE devices, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (route switch processor outage) via crafted IP packets, aka Bug ID CSCug84789.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-2107 represents a critical denial of service flaw affecting Cisco IOS software versions 12.2 and 15.0 through 15.3 when deployed on specific route switch processor hardware. This issue specifically impacts RSP720-3C-10GE and RSP720-3CXL-10GE devices that utilize Kailash FPGA hardware components with firmware versions prior to 2.6. The vulnerability operates through a sophisticated manipulation of IP packet structures that triggers unexpected behavior within the routing processor's packet handling mechanisms. This flaw demonstrates the complex interplay between hardware-specific firmware implementations and software operating systems, where the interaction between these components creates an exploitable condition that can be remotely triggered by malicious actors.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the IP packet processing routines of the IOS software when operating on affected hardware platforms. Attackers can craft specially malformed IP packets that, when processed by the route switch processor, cause the system to enter an unstable state leading to complete service outages. The vulnerability specifically targets the route switch processor's handling of certain packet headers or payload structures that are not properly sanitized or validated before being processed by the underlying FPGA hardware. This creates a condition where legitimate network traffic processing becomes corrupted, leading to system crashes or forced restarts. The flaw operates at the network layer and leverages the hardware-specific characteristics of the Kailash FPGA to amplify the impact of relatively simple packet manipulation techniques. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-129 Input Validation and Output Encoding, specifically addressing insufficient validation of input data that leads to system instability.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2107 extends far beyond simple network disruption, as it can effectively render entire network infrastructure components unusable for extended periods. When exploited, the vulnerability causes complete route switch processor outages that can take minutes to hours to recover from, depending on the network configuration and recovery procedures in place. This type of denial of service attack can have cascading effects throughout enterprise networks, potentially disrupting critical business operations, causing significant downtime, and requiring immediate emergency response procedures. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access or local network privileges to cause damage, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible network infrastructure. Organizations with multiple affected devices may experience widespread service degradation across their network backbone, as the route switch processors are fundamental components responsible for routing decisions and traffic forwarding throughout the network.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to update both the IOS software and the Kailash FPGA firmware components to versions that address the specific packet validation issues. Cisco released patches and updated firmware versions that correct the input validation flaws in the affected software versions and hardware components. Network administrators should prioritize implementing these updates through coordinated maintenance windows to minimize disruption to network services. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact of exploitation by reducing the attack surface available to remote adversaries. The implementation of intrusion detection systems that monitor for anomalous packet patterns may provide early warning of attempted exploitation, though this represents a reactive approach rather than a preventive solution. Organizations should also consider implementing redundant route switch processor configurations to provide failover capabilities during maintenance windows or in case of successful exploitation attempts, aligning with industry best practices for high availability network design and security resilience.