CVE-2015-0678 in ASA
Summary
by MITRE
The virtualization layer in Cisco ASA FirePOWER Software before 5.3.1.2 and 5.4.x before 5.4.0.1 and ASA Context-Aware (CX) Software before 9.3.2.1-9 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reload) by rapidly sending crafted packets to the management interface, aka Bug IDs CSCus11007 and CSCun56954.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0678 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Cisco's ASA FirePOWER and Context-Aware software implementations. This weakness exists in the virtualization layer of affected Cisco security appliances, specifically impacting versions prior to 5.3.1.2 and 5.4.x before 5.4.0.1 for FirePOWER software, and before 9.3.2.1-9 for ASA Context-Aware software. The flaw manifests when remote attackers exploit a vulnerability in the management interface handling of crafted packets, leading to complete device reloads and subsequent service disruption. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects core security infrastructure components that organizations rely upon for network protection and monitoring.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of packet processing within the virtualization layer of Cisco's security appliances. When attackers rapidly transmit specially crafted packets to the management interface, the system fails to properly validate or process these inputs, causing the device to crash and subsequently reload. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-129 as an improper validation of array index, which occurs when the system does not properly validate input parameters before processing them. The attack vector requires network access to the management interface, making it exploitable by remote adversaries who can craft malicious packets to trigger the system's failure mechanism. The flaw essentially creates a condition where legitimate packet processing becomes disrupted by malicious input, leading to an uncontrolled system restart.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0678 extends beyond simple service interruption, representing a significant threat to network availability and security operations. Organizations utilizing affected Cisco appliances experience complete service outages as devices automatically reload, potentially disrupting network monitoring, intrusion detection capabilities, and overall security posture. The vulnerability's exploitation can occur without authentication, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can trigger the denial of service remotely without requiring privileged access. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service, where adversaries target network infrastructure to disrupt services. The impact is compounded by the fact that many organizations deploy these appliances for critical security functions, meaning that exploitation can compromise broader network security operations and potentially allow attackers to evade detection during the service disruption period.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0678 primarily focus on immediate software updates and network segmentation measures. Organizations should prioritize upgrading affected Cisco ASA FirePOWER and Context-Aware software to versions 5.3.1.2 and 5.4.0.1 respectively, or 9.3.2.1-9 for ASA CX software, as these releases contain patches addressing the vulnerability. Network administrators should implement access control measures to restrict management interface access, limiting exposure to only trusted networks and IP addresses. Additionally, implementing network monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help detect anomalous packet patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics make it suitable for detection through behavioral analysis, as rapid packet flooding to management interfaces would be unusual network traffic patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing redundant security appliances and establishing incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts and minimize service disruption impact.