CVE-2018-0397 in AMP for Endpoints Mac Connector
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in Cisco AMP for Endpoints Mac Connector Software installed on Apple macOS 10.12 could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a kernel panic on an affected system, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability exists if the affected software is running in Block network conviction mode. Exploitation could occur if the system that is running the affected software starts a server process and an address in the IP blacklist cache of the affected software attempts to connect to the affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause a kernel panic on the system that is running the affected software, resulting in a DoS condition. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvk08192.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-0397 represents a significant denial of service weakness within Cisco AMP for Endpoints Mac Connector Software running on macOS 10.12 systems. This flaw specifically manifests when the software operates in Block network conviction mode, creating a dangerous condition where unauthenticated remote attackers can trigger system instability. The vulnerability exploits a fundamental flaw in how the software handles network connections and IP blacklist cache management, potentially allowing attackers to disrupt normal system operations through carefully crafted network traffic patterns.
The technical execution of this vulnerability requires specific conditions to be met within the target environment. The affected system must be actively running the Cisco AMP for Endpoints Mac Connector Software in Block network conviction mode while simultaneously hosting a server process. When an attacker successfully manipulates the IP blacklist cache to initiate a connection attempt to the vulnerable system, the kernel panic occurs as a direct result of the software's improper handling of these network events. This mechanism demonstrates a critical failure in input validation and resource management within the kernel-level components of the software, creating an exploitable path that bypasses normal authentication requirements.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromising system availability and business continuity. A successful exploitation results in a complete kernel panic, forcing the affected macOS system to reboot automatically and temporarily removing the endpoint from network operations. This DoS condition affects not only the immediate system but also creates potential cascading effects within network security infrastructure, as the compromised endpoint may fail to report security events or maintain its protective functions during the reboot process. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from outside the network perimeter without requiring any credentials or prior access to the system.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of improper input validation and resource handling issues that fall under CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation." The attack pattern aligns with techniques described in MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1499 category for network denial of service attacks, specifically targeting system resources to create availability disruptions. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling Block network conviction mode when possible, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and ensuring regular updates to the Cisco AMP for Endpoints software. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper kernel-level security design and the need for comprehensive testing of security software in production environments to prevent such destabilizing conditions that can compromise entire endpoint security infrastructures.