CVE-2014-3327 in IOS
Summary
by MITRE
The EnergyWise module in Cisco IOS 12.2, 15.0, 15.1, 15.2, and 15.4 and IOS XE 3.2.xXO, 3.3.xSG, 3.4.xSG, and 3.5.xE before 3.5.3E allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reload) via a crafted IPv4 packet, aka Bug ID CSCup52101.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-3327 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Cisco's EnergyWise module, which is integrated into various versions of Cisco IOS and IOS XE operating systems. This module is designed to manage energy consumption and network device power management, particularly in enterprise and service provider environments where energy efficiency is a primary concern. The flaw exists in the processing of IPv4 packets specifically related to EnergyWise functionality, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the system through carefully crafted network traffic.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the EnergyWise module's packet handling routines. When the affected Cisco IOS and IOS XE devices receive specially crafted IPv4 packets, the system fails to properly validate the packet structure and content before processing the EnergyWise-related information. This lack of proper validation leads to a buffer overflow condition or improper memory handling that ultimately results in the device crashing and subsequently reloading itself. The vulnerability is classified as a remote attack vector since no local access or authentication is required to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in network environments where external attackers may have access to the network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can lead to significant network reliability issues and potential business continuity concerns. When a device reload occurs due to this vulnerability, it can result in temporary network outages, disruption of services, and potential loss of network configuration data that may need to be manually restored. The EnergyWise module is commonly deployed in large enterprise networks and service provider environments where device uptime is critical, making this vulnerability particularly concerning from a security operations perspective. Network administrators may experience unexpected device restarts that could cascade through network infrastructure, affecting multiple connected systems and services.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation that leads to system instability. The attack pattern follows the MITRE ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, where an attacker can leverage a remote code execution or system instability vector to compromise service availability. The vulnerability demonstrates how specialized network modules within operating systems can introduce unexpected attack surfaces when proper security controls are not implemented in the packet processing pipelines. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure, while also ensuring prompt patch deployment to address this vulnerability in affected systems.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of affected Cisco IOS and IOS XE versions, with specific attention to the 12.2, 15.0, 15.1, 15.2, and 15.4 releases for IOS, and the 3.2.x, 3.3.x, 3.4.x, and 3.5.x releases for IOS XE. Cisco released security advisories detailing the specific patches and upgrade paths for affected systems, emphasizing that versions prior to 3.5.3E for IOS XE and the corresponding IOS releases contain this vulnerability. Network security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected devices within their infrastructure and prioritize patching efforts based on risk assessment and business impact considerations. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous packet patterns and device behavior can help in early identification of potential exploitation attempts.