CVE-2014-3314 in AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco AnyConnect on Android and OS X does not properly verify the host type, which allows remote attackers to spoof authentication forms and possibly capture credentials via unspecified vectors, aka Bug IDs CSCuo24931 and CSCuo24940.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3314 affects Cisco AnyConnect client implementations on both Android and OS X platforms, representing a critical security flaw in the authentication verification process. This weakness stems from insufficient host type validation mechanisms within the AnyConnect client software, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's trust model. The vulnerability specifically targets the client-side authentication forms, where the software fails to properly validate the legitimacy of the host it is communicating with during the VPN connection establishment process.
The technical implementation of this flaw allows remote attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by spoofing legitimate authentication forms and presenting fake login interfaces to unsuspecting users. This deception occurs because the AnyConnect client does not adequately verify the host certificate or hostname during the connection process, enabling attackers to intercept and capture user credentials without proper authentication. The vulnerability manifests through unspecified vectors that leverage the client's trust in improperly validated host information, potentially allowing attackers to establish connections with malicious servers that appear to be legitimate Cisco infrastructure.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability compromises the fundamental security assumptions of the AnyConnect VPN solution, potentially exposing sensitive corporate and personal data to unauthorized access. The attack surface extends beyond simple credential theft to include potential full network access, as compromised credentials could provide attackers with elevated privileges within the targeted organization's network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects both mobile and desktop environments, amplifying the potential impact across diverse user populations and network access points.
The flaw aligns with CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential harvesting through phishing and social engineering attacks. Organizations utilizing Cisco AnyConnect clients across their mobile and desktop deployments face significant risk from this vulnerability, as it undermines the integrity of the authentication process and creates opportunities for sophisticated attack campaigns. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple operating systems indicates a fundamental design flaw in the client-side validation logic that requires comprehensive remediation.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Cisco's security patches and updates, implementation of additional network monitoring to detect suspicious authentication attempts, and enhanced user awareness training regarding the recognition of legitimate versus spoofed authentication interfaces. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional authentication layers such as multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of credential compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper host verification mechanisms in secure communication protocols and highlights the necessity of continuous security assessments for enterprise VPN solutions to prevent similar weaknesses in future implementations.