CVE-2014-3383 in ASA
Summary
by MITRE
The IKE implementation in the VPN component in Cisco ASA Software 9.1 before 9.1(5.1) allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reload) via crafted UDP packets, aka Bug ID CSCul36176.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-3383 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Internet Key Exchange (IKE) implementation of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software version 9.1 prior to 9.1(5.1). This issue affects the VPN component's handling of UDP packets, specifically targeting the IKE protocol which is fundamental to establishing secure communications between network devices. The vulnerability operates at the network layer where IKE messages are processed, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring authentication or prior access to the network infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests when the ASA device receives specially crafted UDP packets that trigger an improper handling of IKE protocol messages within the VPN component. These malformed packets exploit a buffer overflow or memory corruption issue in the IKE processing code, causing the device to crash and subsequently reload its operating system. The vulnerability specifically impacts the IKE version 1 implementation, which is widely used for establishing secure connections in enterprise networks and remote access scenarios. The attack vector requires only network access to send UDP packets to the affected ASA device, making it easily exploitable from external networks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it can result in complete network disruption for organizations relying on Cisco ASA devices for their VPN services. When exploited, the device reload causes temporary loss of network connectivity, forcing users to reconnect to the network and potentially disrupting business operations. This type of denial of service attack can be particularly damaging in mission-critical environments where continuous network availability is essential. The vulnerability affects organizations with multiple ASA devices, as a successful attack on one device can cause cascading effects on network availability and user productivity. The automatic device reload also means that any active sessions are terminated, potentially leading to data loss and service interruptions.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the relevant Cisco security patches and updates, which address the buffer overflow in the IKE implementation. Network administrators should also consider implementing access control lists to filter incoming UDP traffic on IKE ports, particularly UDP port 500 and UDP port 4500, which are commonly used by the IKE protocol. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to system instability. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1499.004 technique related to Network Denial of Service, and could potentially be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain targeting network infrastructure. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and monitoring for unusual traffic patterns on IKE ports can help detect potential exploitation attempts and provide early warning of attacks targeting this vulnerability.