CVE-2014-3403 in IOS XE
Summary
by MITRE
The Autonomic Networking Infrastructure (ANI) component in Cisco IOS XE does not properly validate certificates, which allows remote attackers to spoof devices via crafted messages, aka Bug ID CSCuq22647.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2014
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-3403 affects the Autonomic Networking Infrastructure component within Cisco IOS XE operating systems, representing a critical weakness in the network device's certificate validation mechanisms. This flaw exists within the ANI framework that is designed to enable self-configuring and self-managing network environments without manual intervention. The issue stems from insufficient certificate validation procedures that fail to properly authenticate the legitimacy of digital certificates presented during network communications, creating a pathway for malicious actors to compromise network integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the certificate validation logic of the ANI component where cryptographic certificates are processed without adequate verification of their authenticity and trustworthiness. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted messages containing forged certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable system. This allows them to masquerade as authorized network devices and potentially gain unauthorized access to network resources or disrupt normal network operations. The flaw specifically relates to the absence of proper certificate chain validation and signature verification processes that should occur during the ANI protocol handshake procedures.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to network security as it enables remote code execution and man-in-the-middle attacks against devices running affected Cisco IOS XE versions. An attacker positioned within the network or able to intercept communications can leverage this weakness to impersonate legitimate network infrastructure components, potentially gaining access to sensitive network data, modifying network configurations, or disrupting network services. The impact extends beyond simple authentication bypass as it undermines the fundamental trust model that ANI relies upon for secure device communication and network management.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-295 which addresses "Improper Certificate Validation" and represents a failure in the secure communication protocols that should be enforced by network infrastructure devices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this weakness maps to techniques involving credential access and defense evasion, specifically leveraging the compromised network device to maintain persistence and avoid detection. Organizations utilizing Cisco ANI components should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Cisco, configuring enhanced certificate validation policies, and monitoring network traffic for suspicious certificate exchanges to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.