CVE-2014-5418 in Multilink ML
Summary
by MITRE
GE Multilink ML800, ML1200, ML1600, and ML2400 switches with firmware 4.2.1 and earlier and Multilink ML810, ML3000, and ML3100 switches with firmware 5.2.0 and earlier allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (resource consumption or reboot) via crafted packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5418 affects GE Multilink series network switches including ML800, ML1200, ML1600, ML2400, ML810, ML3000, and ML3100 models. This weakness represents a significant security flaw in the network infrastructure equipment manufactured by GE Multilink, specifically impacting devices running firmware versions 4.2.1 and earlier for the ML800, ML1200, ML1600, and ML2400 series, and firmware 5.2.0 and earlier for the ML810, ML3000, and ML3100 series. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute a denial of service attack that can either consume system resources or force the device to reboot, effectively disrupting network operations and potentially causing service outages.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and packet processing mechanisms within the switch firmware. Attackers can craft specially designed network packets that, when processed by the vulnerable switch, trigger abnormal resource consumption patterns or system instability leading to device reboot cycles. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of resource exhaustion attacks and represents a classic example of improper handling of malformed input data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication or authorization to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can send packets to the affected network devices.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses a serious threat to network availability and reliability. Organizations relying on these GE Multilink switches for their network infrastructure face potential service disruptions that could affect business operations, especially in critical environments where network uptime is essential. The denial of service condition can be sustained, allowing attackers to repeatedly cause disruptions, potentially leading to extended network outages. The resource consumption aspect of the vulnerability can also lead to performance degradation, while the reboot capability effectively provides attackers with a mechanism to maintain persistent disruption of network services. This vulnerability aligns with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the denial of service category, specifically targeting network infrastructure components to compromise availability.
The security implications extend beyond simple service disruption as this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of broader attack campaigns targeting industrial control systems or critical infrastructure. Network administrators face the challenge of identifying affected devices within their networks, as the vulnerability affects multiple product lines and firmware versions. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation makes this particularly dangerous in environments where network boundaries are not properly segmented or where devices are accessible from untrusted networks. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, access control lists, and monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of firmware update management and regular security assessments of network infrastructure components, aligning with industry best practices for maintaining secure network operations. Remediation efforts should prioritize immediate firmware updates to versions that address the vulnerability, while also implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish baseline network behavior for anomaly detection.