CVE-2015-0667 in Content Services Switch 11500
Summary
by MITRE
The Management Interface on Cisco Content Services Switch (CSS) 11500 devices 8.20.4.02 and earlier allows remote attackers to bypass intended restrictions on local-network device access via crafted SSH packets, aka Bug ID CSCut14855.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0667 affects Cisco Content Services Switch CSS 11500 devices running software versions 8.20.4.02 and earlier. This represents a critical security flaw in the device's management interface that operates over SSH protocol. The issue stems from improper validation of SSH packets which allows malicious actors to circumvent access controls that should restrict management interface access to authorized local network devices only. The vulnerability specifically impacts the authentication and authorization mechanisms within the device's SSH implementation, creating a pathway for remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to management functions that should be restricted to local network segments.
The technical flaw manifests through crafted SSH packets that exploit weaknesses in the device's packet parsing and access control validation logic. When these malformed packets are processed by the CSS 11500 device's SSH server component, the system fails to properly validate the source address or authentication credentials, allowing an attacker to bypass the intended network segmentation controls. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-284 access control weakness category, specifically representing an improper access control implementation where the device fails to properly enforce network-based access restrictions. The flaw enables attackers to perform management operations that should only be available to devices within the local network, potentially allowing full administrative control over the switch.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to bypass network segmentation controls that are fundamental to enterprise security architectures. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain full administrative access to the CSS 11500 device, potentially leading to complete network compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access or network proximity to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network segmentation is critical for security. This vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad by compromising confidentiality through unauthorized access to management interfaces, integrity through potential modification of device configurations, and availability through possible denial of service attacks targeting management functions.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Cisco, which address the SSH packet validation issues in the affected software versions. Network segmentation controls should be reinforced through firewall rules that restrict SSH access to management interfaces, ensuring that only authorized administrative workstations can reach the device management ports. The implementation of network access control lists and intrusion detection systems can help monitor for suspicious SSH traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct security assessments to verify that management interfaces are properly isolated from untrusted networks and that access controls are functioning as intended. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1021.004 Remote Services and T1078 Valid Accounts, as it enables unauthorized access to management services through compromised authentication mechanisms. Regular security monitoring and network traffic analysis should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure that the device's security posture remains intact against similar vulnerabilities.