CVE-2015-0644 in IOS XE
Summary
by MITRE
AppNav in Cisco IOS XE 3.8 through 3.10 before 3.10.3S, 3.11 before 3.11.3S, 3.12 before 3.12.1S, 3.13 before 3.13.0S, 3.14 before 3.14.0S, and 3.15 before 3.15.0S allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (device reload) via a crafted TCP packet, aka Bug ID CSCuo53622.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2022
Cisco IOS XE software contains a critical vulnerability in its Application Navigation component that affects multiple release versions from 3.8 through 3.15. This vulnerability manifests as a buffer overflow condition when processing crafted TCP packets, creating a pathway for remote code execution or denial of service attacks. The flaw resides in how the system handles incoming network traffic within the AppNav functionality, which is designed to provide application-aware networking capabilities including load balancing and application visibility. The vulnerability specifically impacts devices running affected IOS XE versions where the AppNav feature is enabled, making it a significant concern for enterprise networks that rely on these networking capabilities. The attack vector requires an unauthenticated remote attacker to send specially crafted TCP packets to the affected device, which then triggers the buffer overflow condition in the application navigation module.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write past allocated memory boundaries. The flaw occurs during TCP packet processing within the AppNav subsystem, where the device fails to properly validate the size and structure of incoming packets before processing them. This allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges or cause the device to crash and reload. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain code execution capabilities, and T1499, which covers network denial of service attacks targeting system availability. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as successful exploitation could allow attackers to establish persistent access to network infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0644 is substantial for organizations relying on Cisco IOS XE devices, as it affects core networking infrastructure components that typically operate with high availability requirements. Network administrators face the challenge of identifying affected devices across their infrastructure, as the vulnerability exists across multiple minor releases and service pack versions, requiring careful version checking and patch management. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access or local network credentials to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible network devices. Organizations may experience service interruptions during exploitation attempts, and the potential for remote code execution creates risks for data breaches, network infiltration, and compromise of sensitive network information. The vulnerability also impacts the integrity of network services that depend on AppNav functionality for application-aware routing and load balancing operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including applying the appropriate Cisco security patches and updates for each affected release series. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks. The use of access control lists and firewall rules to filter TCP traffic on affected ports can provide temporary protection while patches are deployed. Organizations should also consider disabling the AppNav feature on affected devices if it is not essential for current network operations, though this may impact application-aware networking capabilities. Regular monitoring and log analysis should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, with particular attention to unusual TCP packet patterns or device restart events. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected devices and establish patch deployment schedules that minimize operational disruption while maintaining security posture. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and following vendor security advisories to protect against known exploits targeting network infrastructure components.