CVE-2016-6412 in IOS
Summary
by MITRE
The Cisco Application-hosting Framework (CAF) component in Cisco IOS 15.6(1)T1 and IOS XE, when the IOx feature set is enabled, allows man-in-the-middle attackers to trigger arbitrary downloads via crafted HTTP headers, aka Bug ID CSCuz84773.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2022
The Cisco Application-hosting Framework CAF vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the IOS 15.6(1)T1 and IOS XE software versions that affects systems with the IOx feature set enabled. This vulnerability specifically targets the application hosting capabilities within Cisco's networking infrastructure, creating a pathway for man-in-the-middle attacks that could compromise the integrity of network operations. The flaw manifests through the improper handling of HTTP headers within the CAF component, which serves as a bridge for application deployment and management in enterprise networking environments. The vulnerability's designation as Bug ID CSCuz84773 indicates its identification within Cisco's internal tracking systems, highlighting the severity of the issue that required specific attention from the security team.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of HTTP headers within the CAF component's processing pipeline. When the IOx feature set is active, the framework processes incoming HTTP requests without adequate sanitization of header parameters, allowing attackers to craft malicious HTTP headers that can trigger unintended behavior in the application hosting framework. This flaw operates at the network protocol level where HTTP headers are typically expected to contain specific metadata about the request, but due to the missing validation controls, attackers can inject crafted headers that manipulate the download mechanisms within the CAF. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation as defined by CWE-20, where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize input data before processing it. The attack vector requires the attacker to position themselves in a man-in-the-middle position between the network device and the application hosting service, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data integrity concerns to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access to network resources. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to trigger arbitrary downloads from remote servers, potentially enabling them to deploy malicious applications or download harmful payloads directly onto the network device. This capability represents a significant threat to enterprise network security, as it could allow adversaries to escalate privileges, install backdoors, or manipulate the application hosting environment to gain persistent access to the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations using Cisco IOS and IOS XE software, which are widely deployed across enterprise networks, making the potential impact substantial. Network administrators who have enabled the IOx feature set are particularly at risk, as this functionality creates the specific conditions necessary for exploitation. The vulnerability's classification under the MITRE ATT&CK framework would likely map to techniques involving command and control communications and application deployment, with potential lateral movement opportunities through compromised application hosting capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from network administrators to address the exposure through the IOx feature set. The most effective immediate solution involves disabling the IOx feature set on affected devices until a security patch can be properly deployed, as this eliminates the attack surface entirely. Cisco has released security advisories and patches specifically addressing this vulnerability, which should be applied according to the vendor's recommended timeline. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect anomalous download behavior or unusual HTTP header patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also review their network access controls and implement additional layers of security to prevent man-in-the-middle positioning, including network encryption protocols and secure communication channels. The vulnerability's nature suggests that regular security assessments of network infrastructure components should include evaluation of feature sets that enable application hosting capabilities, as these often represent additional attack vectors that require careful monitoring and control. Implementation of network traffic analysis tools can help identify malicious HTTP header patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, providing early warning capabilities for potential attacks targeting this specific vulnerability.