CVE-2016-6409 in IOS
Summary
by MITRE
The Data in Motion (DMo) component in Cisco IOS 15.6(1)T and IOS XE, when the IOx feature set is enabled, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds access) via crafted traffic, aka Bug ID CSCuy54015.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6409 affects the Data in Motion component within Cisco IOS 15.6(1)T and IOS XE operating systems, specifically when the IOx feature set is activated. This represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute a denial of service attack through the exploitation of out-of-bounds memory access conditions. The vulnerability resides within the DMo component which handles data movement operations and is part of Cisco's broader IOx framework designed to facilitate application deployment on network devices. The bug ID CSCuy54015 specifically identifies this issue within Cisco's internal tracking systems, highlighting the severity and nature of the memory access violation that occurs when processing crafted network traffic.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the DMo component's packet processing routines. When the IOx feature set is enabled, network traffic containing specially crafted packets can trigger memory access violations that result in system instability and potential system crashes. This out-of-bounds access condition occurs during the normal processing of network data flows, where the component fails to properly validate packet headers or payload structures before attempting to access memory locations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the network protocol level, allowing attackers to exploit it remotely without requiring physical access or authentication credentials. The flaw essentially permits attackers to manipulate memory pointers or buffer boundaries in such a way that the system attempts to access memory regions outside the intended bounds, leading to unpredictable behavior and system termination.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the availability and reliability of network infrastructure. Organizations relying on Cisco devices with IOx enabled are at risk of experiencing unexpected system downtime, which could affect critical network operations and business continuity. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can target these vulnerabilities from external networks without requiring insider knowledge or local access, making the attack surface significantly larger. Network administrators may experience unexpected device reboots or crashes that could disrupt network services, particularly in environments where these devices serve as core routing or switching infrastructure. The vulnerability affects multiple Cisco IOS and IOS XE versions, creating widespread exposure across various network equipment deployments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-6409 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems through Cisco's security advisory releases. Organizations must implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable devices to untrusted networks. The implementation of intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts by monitoring for crafted traffic patterns associated with this vulnerability. Network administrators should also consider disabling the IOx feature set on affected devices until patches are applied, though this may impact legitimate application deployments. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and denial of service attacks. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all affected devices and implement layered defense mechanisms including network monitoring, access control policies, and regular security updates to prevent exploitation of this and similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.