CVE-2014-3384 in ASA
Summary
by MITRE
The IKEv2 implementation in Cisco ASA Software 8.4 before 8.4(7.15), 8.6 before 8.6(1.14), 9.0 before 9.0(4.8), and 9.1 before 9.1(5.1) allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reload) via a crafted packet that is sent during tunnel creation, aka Bug ID CSCum96401.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3384 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Internet Key Exchange version 2 implementation of Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance software. This weakness affects multiple versions of the ASA software ecosystem including 8.4 prior to 8.4(7.15), 8.6 prior to 8.6(1.14), 9.0 prior to 9.0(4.8), and 9.1 prior to 9.1(5.1). The vulnerability operates at the network security layer where IKEv2 protocol negotiations occur during IPSec tunnel establishment processes, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on secure network communications.
The technical flaw manifests when a remote attacker crafts and transmits specially malformed packets during the initial stages of IKEv2 tunnel creation. These crafted packets exploit a buffer overflow condition or improper input validation within the ASA software's IKEv2 processing engine. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of certain IKEv2 message fields or attributes that are processed during the authentication and key exchange phases of IPSec tunnel establishment. When the affected ASA device receives these malformed packets, the software fails to properly validate the incoming data structure, leading to memory corruption that ultimately triggers an automatic device reload or system crash.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it can be leveraged by attackers to systematically compromise network availability. Organizations utilizing Cisco ASA appliances for perimeter security, remote access, or site-to-site connectivity face significant risk when exposed to this vulnerability, as successful exploitation results in complete device downtime. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed from any location with network access to the vulnerable ASA device, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to disrupt critical network infrastructure. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to system instability and denial of service conditions.
The attack vector for this vulnerability operates through the standard IKEv2 protocol communication channels, typically over UDP port 500 and UDP port 4500, which are the default ports used for IKE message exchange. Network administrators should note that the vulnerability can be exploited even when the ASA device is not actively processing active tunnels, as the flaw exists in the initial handshake process that occurs when new connections are attempted. This makes the vulnerability particularly insidious as it can be triggered by simple connection attempts rather than requiring complex multi-stage attacks. The exploitation mechanism follows ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves network denial of service attacks targeting network infrastructure devices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch management implementation across all affected Cisco ASA software versions. Cisco released security advisories and patches addressing this specific vulnerability, and organizations must upgrade to the patched versions to eliminate the risk. Network administrators should also consider implementing access control lists or firewall rules that limit IKEv2 traffic to trusted sources only, though this approach provides only partial protection as the vulnerability can be exploited from any network location. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for unusual IKEv2 message patterns or malformed packets can help detect potential exploitation attempts, though this detection method may not prevent successful attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and the potential for seemingly minor protocol implementation flaws to result in catastrophic system failures. Organizations should also conduct thorough network assessments to identify all potentially affected devices and implement proper network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.