CVE-2015-4290 in AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client
Summary
by MITRE
The kernel extension in Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client 4.0(2049) on OS X allows local users to cause a denial of service (panic) via vectors involving contiguous memory locations, aka Bug ID CSCut12255.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-4290 represents a critical kernel-level flaw within Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client version 4.0(2049) for macOS operating systems. This issue manifests as a local privilege escalation vulnerability that can be exploited by malicious users to trigger a kernel panic, effectively causing a system-wide denial of service condition. The vulnerability specifically targets the kernel extension component of the AnyConnect client, which operates at the most privileged level of the operating system and handles critical network security functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves exploiting memory management patterns within the kernel extension code. Attackers can manipulate contiguous memory locations in a manner that causes the kernel to crash or panic, resulting in an immediate system shutdown or reboot. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category of CWE-121, which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though the specific implementation here involves kernel memory management rather than user-space buffer overflows. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level where the attacker has the highest privileges and can potentially compromise the entire system integrity.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4290 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it represents a fundamental security weakness that could be exploited for more sophisticated attacks. A successful exploitation could allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to system resources, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Cisco AnyConnect is widely deployed for remote access security, as it creates an attack vector that could be used to disrupt critical network infrastructure. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1068, which covers 'Local Privilege Escalation', and T1499, which covers 'Endpoint Denial of Service', making it a significant threat in both offensive and defensive cybersecurity contexts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the AnyConnect client to version 4.0(2050) or later, which contains the necessary kernel extension modifications to address the memory handling issues. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit local user privileges on systems running AnyConnect, reducing the potential impact of exploitation. System administrators should monitor for unusual system crashes or reboots that could indicate exploitation attempts, and consider disabling the kernel extension if it is not required for specific network access scenarios. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running vulnerable versions of the software, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all endpoints that may be at risk from this kernel-level vulnerability.