CVE-2014-3360 in IOS
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco IOS 12.4 and 15.0 through 15.4 and IOS XE 3.1.xS, 3.2.xS, 3.3.xS, 3.4.xS, 3.5.xS, 3.6.xS, and 3.7.xS before 3.7.6S; 3.8.xS, 3.9.xS, and 3.10.xS before 3.10.1S; and 3.11.xS before 3.12S allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reload) via a crafted SIP message, aka Bug ID CSCul46586.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2024
Cisco IOS and IOS XE software versions affected by CVE-2014-3360 contain a critical vulnerability in the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) processing functionality that enables remote attackers to trigger unauthorized device reloads. This vulnerability specifically impacts versions 12.4 and 15.0 through 15.4, as well as IOS XE versions 3.1.xS through 3.11.xS, excluding the patched releases mentioned in the advisory. The flaw resides in how the system handles malformed SIP messages, particularly those containing crafted headers or payload structures that bypass normal validation checks. When a maliciously constructed SIP message is received by an affected device, the processing routine fails to properly sanitize the input, leading to memory corruption that ultimately results in an abrupt device reboot. This vulnerability falls under CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and represents a classic example of improper input validation that can be exploited for denial of service attacks. The attack vector requires only network access to the affected device, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited remotely without requiring physical access or authentication credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise network availability and business continuity. Network infrastructure devices running affected IOS versions become vulnerable to unauthorized reload attacks that can occur at any time, potentially causing cascading failures throughout the network infrastructure. Organizations relying on these devices for critical communications services face significant risk of service outages that could affect voice communications, video conferencing, and other SIP-based applications. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require authentication, meaning that any remote attacker with network access can potentially trigger the device reload, making it a particularly attractive target for malicious actors seeking to disrupt network services. According to ATT&CK framework technique T1499.004, this vulnerability maps to the "Network Denial of Service" tactic, where adversaries leverage weaknesses in network protocols to cause service unavailability. The device reload caused by this vulnerability can result in temporary loss of network connectivity, especially if the affected device serves as a gateway or router in the network topology.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3360 should focus on immediate software patching and network segmentation to limit exposure. Organizations must prioritize upgrading to the patched versions of IOS and IOS XE software, specifically targeting releases 3.7.6S, 3.10.1S, and 3.12S or later, depending on their current software version. Network administrators should also implement SIP filtering and access control lists to limit SIP traffic to only trusted sources, particularly at network boundaries where SIP traffic enters the network. The implementation of rate limiting and connection tracking mechanisms can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts by monitoring for unusual SIP message patterns or excessive message volumes. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect device reload events and alert administrators to potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also review their network architecture to identify and isolate critical devices that may be vulnerable to this attack, ensuring that SIP traffic is properly filtered and monitored. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date network infrastructure and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include both perimeter security controls and internal monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to such exploitation attempts.