CVE-2015-0648 in IOS
Summary
by MITRE
Memory leak in Cisco IOS 12.2, 12.4, 15.0, 15.2, and 15.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via crafted Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) TCP packets, aka Bug ID CSCun49658.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0648 represents a critical memory leak flaw affecting multiple versions of Cisco IOS software including 12.2, 12.4, 15.0, 15.2, and 15.3. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of Common Industrial Protocol TCP packets within the network infrastructure, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited remotely by malicious actors. The flaw manifests through the improper management of memory resources when processing crafted CIP packets, leading to progressive memory consumption that ultimately results in system instability and denial of service conditions. The vulnerability was catalogued under Cisco Bug ID CSCun49658, indicating its classification within Cisco's internal tracking system for security issues.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the network protocol processing layer where Cisco IOS fails to properly release allocated memory resources when encountering malformed or specially crafted CIP TCP packets. This memory leak is particularly concerning because it operates at the transport layer of network communication, affecting the core routing and switching functionality of Cisco devices. The flaw enables attackers to send specifically constructed TCP packets that trigger memory allocation without subsequent deallocation, causing the device to gradually consume available memory resources until system performance degrades or completely fails. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-401, which specifically addresses improper management of memory allocation and deallocation, making it a classic example of memory management error that can be exploited for denial of service attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0648 extends beyond simple service disruption as it can compromise the availability of critical network infrastructure components. When exploited, the vulnerability allows remote attackers to consume system memory resources without authorization, potentially affecting network uptime and reliability for organizations relying on affected Cisco devices. The memory consumption occurs incrementally, making detection more challenging as the system may appear normal until the memory exhaustion reaches critical levels. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in industrial control systems and enterprise networks where continuous availability is essential, as it can lead to cascading failures affecting multiple network segments. The attack vector requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it an attractive target for threat actors seeking to disrupt network operations.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Cisco security patches and updates that address the memory leak in CIP packet processing. Network administrators should also consider implementing access control lists to filter or drop suspicious CIP traffic, particularly in environments where industrial protocols are not required. The implementation of network segmentation and monitoring solutions can help detect unusual memory consumption patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service attacks, where adversaries leverage memory leaks to exhaust system resources. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of T1566.001 for initial access through network service exploitation, making it a multi-stage threat that requires comprehensive defensive measures including network traffic analysis and regular security assessments to identify and remediate affected systems before exploitation occurs.