CVE-2014-3382 in ASA
Summary
by MITRE
The SQL*Net inspection engine in Cisco ASA Software 7.2 before 7.2(5.13), 8.2 before 8.2(5.50), 8.3 before 8.3(2.42), 8.4 before 8.4(7.15), 8.5 before 8.5(1.21), 8.6 before 8.6(1.14), 8.7 before 8.7(1.13), 9.0 before 9.0(4.5), and 9.1 before 9.1(5.1) allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reload) via crafted SQL REDIRECT packets, aka Bug ID CSCum46027.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-3382 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) software that affects multiple versions across several release branches. This weakness resides in the SQL*Net inspection engine component, which is responsible for processing and inspecting SQL network traffic passing through the firewall. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of crafted SQL REDIRECT packets that can trigger unexpected behavior in the device's processing logic, ultimately leading to complete device reload or system restart. The flaw demonstrates how network protocol inspection engines can be exploited through carefully constructed packet payloads that manipulate the internal state processing mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of SQL*Net protocol packets that contain REDIRECT operations, which are legitimate network commands used in database communications. When the ASA software encounters these specially crafted packets, the inspection engine fails to properly validate or handle the packet structure, causing the device to enter an unstable state that results in automatic system reload. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation, specifically CWE-20, where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize input data before processing it. The flaw operates at the network protocol inspection layer, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered by external attackers without requiring authentication or privileged access to the network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as the device reload caused by this exploit can result in significant network downtime and potential loss of security posture. Organizations relying on Cisco ASA appliances for network security may experience complete loss of firewall protection during the reload process, leaving their networks vulnerable to other attacks. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires only remote access to send malicious packets to the device, making it a low-effort, high-impact vulnerability. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves network denial of service attacks, and represents a classic example of how protocol-level flaws can be leveraged for system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Cisco ASA software versions, with administrators prioritizing updates to the latest available releases that contain the necessary security fixes. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date network security appliances and implementing proper network segmentation to limit the impact of such exploits. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves enhanced input validation and proper state management within the SQL*Net inspection engine to prevent malformed packets from causing system instability. Network administrators should conduct thorough testing of patched systems before deployment to ensure that legitimate network traffic continues to flow normally while the vulnerability is addressed.