CVE-2016-1368 in FirePOWER
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco FirePOWER System Software 5.3.x through 5.3.0.6 and 5.4.x through 5.4.0.3 on FirePOWER 7000 and 8000 appliances, and on the Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) for Networks component on these appliances, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (packet-processing outage) via crafted packets, aka Bug ID CSCuu86214.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2018
Cisco FirePOWER System Software contains a critical vulnerability in its packet processing mechanism that affects versions 5.3.x through 5.3.0.6 and 5.4.x through 5.4.0.3 on FirePOWER 7000 and 8000 appliances. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of malformed or crafted packets during the packet inspection process, leading to a complete denial of service condition that results in packet-processing outages. The flaw exists in the software's network packet processing engine where it fails to properly validate incoming packet structures before attempting to process them, creating a condition where maliciously constructed packets can trigger unexpected behavior in the system's packet handling routines. This vulnerability specifically impacts the Advanced Malware Protection component running on these appliances, making it particularly concerning for organizations relying on these security platforms for network protection. The issue manifests as a complete service disruption where the appliance becomes unable to process network traffic, effectively creating a network outage that can persist until manual intervention or appliance reboot occurs. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and represents a classic example of a buffer over-read or improper input validation issue that can lead to denial of service conditions. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can trigger the denial of service condition from outside the network perimeter. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as organizations may experience complete network visibility loss through their security infrastructure, potentially leaving their networks exposed to other threats during the outage period. The vulnerability maps to attack techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1499 category for network denial of service, specifically targeting network infrastructure components to disrupt operations. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability as it can be exploited to create significant network disruptions that may last for extended periods, potentially causing cascading failures in network security operations. The affected appliances represent critical network infrastructure components that typically operate in high availability configurations, making the potential for extended outages particularly concerning. Remediation requires applying the appropriate Cisco security patches that address the packet validation logic and ensure proper input sanitization before packet processing occurs, with immediate patch deployment recommended to prevent exploitation by threat actors who may be actively targeting these vulnerable systems.