CVE-2014-3376 in IOS XR
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco IOS XR 5.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (process reload) via a malformed RSVP packet, aka Bug ID CSCuq12031.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2022
Cisco IOS XR 5.1 and earlier versions contain a critical vulnerability that enables remote attackers to trigger a denial of service condition through the manipulation of Resource Reservation Protocol packets. This vulnerability specifically affects the routing and switching infrastructure where IOS XR software operates, creating a process reload that disrupts network operations and potentially affects multiple network services. The flaw resides in how the system processes RSVP packets, which are used for resource reservation in network traffic management, particularly in multiprotocol label switching environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the RSVP packet processing module of the IOS XR software. When a maliciously crafted RSVP packet is received by an affected device, the system fails to properly handle the malformed data structure, leading to an unexpected process termination that results in a complete system reload. This behavior represents a classic buffer overflow or input validation failure pattern that can be exploited without authentication, making it particularly dangerous in network environments where devices are exposed to untrusted traffic. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions, and represents a failure in proper data validation mechanisms within network protocol processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it can cause cascading failures throughout network infrastructure where IOS XR devices are deployed. When a device experiences a process reload due to this vulnerability, it can result in temporary loss of network connectivity, routing table instability, and potential disruption of critical network services. Network administrators may experience significant downtime during recovery periods while systems restart and re-establish routing information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in high-availability network environments where such disruptions can affect mission-critical communications and services.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate software updates to versions that contain patches addressing the RSVP packet processing flaw. Network administrators should also implement access control measures to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted network traffic, including firewall rules that filter RSVP packets at network boundaries. Monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual process reload patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact of such flaws. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed RSVP packets attempting to exploit this vulnerability, aligning with defensive techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for network defense.