CVE-2015-0649 in IOS
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco IOS 12.2, 12.4, 15.0, 15.2, and 15.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reload) via malformed Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) TCP packets, aka Bug ID CSCun63514.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2022
Cisco IOS devices running versions 12.2, 12.4, 15.0, 15.2, and 15.3 contain a critical vulnerability that enables remote attackers to trigger a device reload through the careful crafting of malformed Common Industrial Protocol TCP packets. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of CIP traffic within the IOS networking stack, where insufficient input validation leads to a buffer overflow condition that ultimately results in system instability and complete device restart. The flaw resides in the protocol processing mechanisms that fail to properly validate packet structures before attempting to parse and process CIP commands, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through network-based attacks without requiring authentication credentials. This vulnerability represents a classic example of a denial of service attack that can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous in industrial control environments where network availability is critical for operational continuity. The Common Industrial Protocol is widely used in industrial automation and control systems for communication between programmable logic controllers and other industrial devices, which means that exploitation of this vulnerability could potentially disrupt critical infrastructure operations. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. When exploited, the malformed CIP packets cause the IOS kernel to crash and restart, resulting in complete service interruption that can last from several minutes to hours depending on the device configuration and recovery procedures. The attack vector requires only network access to the affected device, making it particularly dangerous in environments where industrial networks may have limited security controls. Organizations using affected Cisco IOS versions should immediately implement network segmentation measures to isolate critical industrial control systems from general network access, while also deploying ingress and egress filtering to prevent malformed CIP traffic from reaching vulnerable devices. The recommended mitigation strategy includes applying the appropriate Cisco security patches and updates, configuring access control lists to restrict CIP traffic to authorized networks only, and implementing network monitoring solutions to detect unusual traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, network administrators should consider disabling CIP protocol processing on devices where it is not strictly required for operational purposes, thereby reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches in industrial environments, where the consequences of denial of service attacks can extend far beyond simple network disruption to impact physical operations and safety systems. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all devices running affected IOS versions and prioritize remediation efforts based on the criticality of the affected systems within their operational technology infrastructure.