CVE-2016-9209 in FirePOWER
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in TCP processing in Cisco FirePOWER system software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to download files that would normally be blocked. Affected Products: The following Cisco products are vulnerable: Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) 5500-X Series with FirePOWER Services, Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) for Networks - 7000 Series Appliances, Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) for Networks - 8000 Series Appliances, FirePOWER 7000 Series Appliances, FirePOWER 8000 Series Appliances, FirePOWER Threat Defense for Integrated Services Routers (ISRs), Next Generation Intrusion Prevention System (NGIPS) for Blue Coat X-Series, Sourcefire 3D System Appliances, Virtual Next-Generation Intrusion Prevention System (NGIPSv) for VMware. More Information: CSCvb20102. Known Affected Releases: 2.9.7.10.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9209 represents a critical weakness in Cisco FirePOWER system software that fundamentally undermines network security controls designed to prevent unauthorized file access. This flaw exists within the TCP processing mechanisms of Cisco's security appliances, specifically affecting the traffic inspection and filtering capabilities that protect enterprise networks from malicious content. The vulnerability operates at a foundational level of network security infrastructure, where the normal protective barriers that would typically block suspicious file transfers are bypassed through a specific processing flaw in the TCP handling logic.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific weakness in how the affected Cisco appliances process TCP connections, allowing an unauthenticated remote attacker to circumvent the normal security controls that would typically prevent file downloads. This flaw enables attackers to access files that would normally be blocked by the security system, effectively creating a backdoor through which malicious content can be transferred without proper authentication or authorization. The vulnerability's impact extends across multiple Cisco security product lines including ASA 5500-X Series with FirePOWER Services, AMP appliances, FirePOWER series appliances, and various NGIPS implementations, indicating a widespread exposure across the Cisco security portfolio.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it directly compromises the integrity of network security controls that organizations depend upon for protection against malicious file transfers and data exfiltration. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to download files that would normally be blocked by the security infrastructure, potentially enabling them to access sensitive information, deploy malware, or establish persistent access to compromised networks. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access or local network credentials to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network security is paramount. This weakness essentially allows attackers to bypass the very protections that security administrators implement to prevent unauthorized file access and content inspection.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies that include applying the latest security patches provided by Cisco, implementing additional network segmentation measures, and monitoring network traffic for suspicious file transfer activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control in software systems, and represents a clear violation of security principles that should prevent unauthorized access to network resources. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving remote access and privilege escalation, as it allows attackers to bypass security controls and access resources that would normally be protected. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring and logging controls to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability specifically targets the TCP processing components that form the foundation of network communication security. The affected releases including version 2.9.7.10 indicate that this vulnerability has existed for a significant period, emphasizing the importance of regular security updates and patch management programs to maintain network security posture.