CVE-2015-0669 in IOS
Summary
by MITRE
The Autonomic Networking Infrastructure (ANI) implementation in Cisco IOS 15.4S and 15.4(3)S allows remote attackers to modify configuration settings or cause a denial of service (partial service outage) by sending crafted Autonomic Networking (AN) messages on an intranet network, aka Bug ID CSCup62167.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-0669 represents a critical security flaw within Cisco's Autonomic Networking Infrastructure implementation in IOS software versions 15.4S and 15.4(3)S. This issue affects the autonomic networking capabilities that were designed to enable self-configuring and self-managing network devices without manual intervention. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of incoming Autonomic Networking messages, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate network configurations or disrupt services. The flaw specifically targets the ANI implementation that facilitates automatic network management and configuration, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network autonomy is heavily relied upon.
The technical nature of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of crafted Autonomic Networking messages that can be transmitted across intranet networks. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending specially constructed AN messages that bypass normal authentication and validation mechanisms. This allows unauthorized modification of network configuration parameters or the ability to trigger partial service outages that can significantly impact network operations. The vulnerability operates at the network protocol level where AN messages are processed, and the lack of proper input validation means that malicious payloads can be interpreted and executed by the affected IOS implementations. This represents a classic case of insufficient message validation that can lead to privilege escalation and unauthorized system modification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it enables attackers to modify critical network configuration settings that could alter routing decisions, security policies, or device behaviors. The partial service outage aspect means that while complete network failure may not occur, network functionality becomes degraded or partially unavailable, potentially affecting business operations and service delivery. Organizations relying on autonomic networking features for automated network management face significant risk, as an attacker could manipulate network behavior without requiring direct access to network devices or credentials. This vulnerability undermines the very purpose of autonomic networking, which is to provide secure and autonomous network management while this flaw creates an attack vector that can compromise network integrity and availability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0669 should focus on implementing network segmentation and access control measures to limit the exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks. Organizations should consider disabling autonomic networking features on affected IOS versions until patches are applied, and implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous AN message patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a technique that could be categorized under ATT&CK matrix tactics such as privilege escalation and defense evasion. Network administrators should prioritize applying Cisco's security patches and updates, while also implementing strict network access controls to prevent unauthorized message injection. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive network assessments to identify all devices running vulnerable IOS versions and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts.