CVE-2015-4202 in IOS
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco IOS 12.2SCH on uBR10000 router Cable Modem Termination Systems (CMTS) does not properly restrict access to the IP Detail Record (IPDR) service, which allows remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive MAC address and network-utilization information via crafted IPDR packets, aka Bug ID CSCua39203.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4202 affects Cisco IOS 12.2SCH operating on uBR10000 router Cable Modem Termination Systems, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of cable network infrastructure. This issue specifically targets the IP Detail Record (IPDR) service, which is designed to provide network monitoring and billing information to authorized parties. The flaw stems from inadequate authentication and authorization mechanisms within the IPDR implementation, allowing unauthorized remote actors to exploit the service without proper credentials or network privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the crafting of specially formatted IPDR packets that bypass normal access controls. Attackers can leverage this weakness to extract sensitive information including MAC addresses of connected cable modems and network utilization statistics that reveal traffic patterns and bandwidth consumption data. This information disclosure represents a significant risk to network security and privacy, as MAC addresses can be used for tracking devices and mapping network topology, while utilization data provides insights into network behavior and potentially sensitive business operations. The vulnerability resides in the service implementation rather than in cryptographic protocols, making it particularly concerning for environments where such information disclosure could lead to targeted attacks or competitive intelligence gathering.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed MAC addresses and network utilization data can enable sophisticated attack vectors including device tracking, traffic analysis, and potential network disruption attempts. Network administrators may find their ability to monitor and control access to critical infrastructure compromised, while the exposure of network utilization patterns could reveal operational details that adversaries could exploit for more targeted attacks. This vulnerability particularly affects cable network operators who rely on CMTS devices for managing large numbers of connected subscribers, where the exposure of device-level information could impact thousands of endpoints simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4202 should prioritize immediate implementation of network segmentation and access control measures to limit exposure of the affected IPDR service to authorized networks only. Organizations should implement network access control lists to restrict communication to the IPDR service ports and consider disabling the service entirely if it is not required for operations. Cisco recommends applying the appropriate software updates and patches that address the access control bypass in the IPDR implementation, while also implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous packet patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that should be enforced in network infrastructure services. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability enables initial access and information gathering phases, potentially allowing adversaries to establish persistent reconnaissance capabilities within network infrastructure environments.