CVE-2019-1706 in ASAv
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the software cryptography module of the Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv) and Firepower 2100 Series running Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause an unexpected reload of the device that results in a denial of service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability is due to a logic error with how the software cryptography module handles IPsec sessions. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by creating and sending traffic in a high number of IPsec sessions through the targeted device. A successful exploit could cause the device to reload and result in a DoS condition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-1706 affects the Cisco Adaptive Security Virtual Appliance (ASAv) and Firepower 2100 Series devices running Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software, representing a critical weakness in the software cryptography module that can be exploited remotely without authentication. This flaw manifests as a logic error within the IPsec session handling mechanism, creating a condition where legitimate network traffic can trigger device instability. The vulnerability specifically targets the cryptographic processing components responsible for managing IPsec tunnels, which are fundamental to secure network communications and site-to-site connectivity in enterprise security infrastructures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of IPsec session creation and management processes within the affected software modules. When an attacker establishes and maintains a high volume of IPsec sessions through the targeted device, the flawed logic in the cryptography module causes memory management issues and state handling errors that ultimately lead to device system crashes. This condition results in unexpected device reloads and subsequent denial of service conditions that can severely impact network availability and business continuity. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-129, which addresses improper handling of buffer sizes and memory allocation in cryptographic implementations, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network disruption through resource exhaustion attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-1706 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass broader network security implications for organizations relying on Cisco ASA and ASAv platforms for their security infrastructure. Network administrators face the challenge of maintaining availability while managing the risk of unauthenticated remote exploitation, as the vulnerability can be triggered without requiring any authentication credentials or advanced technical knowledge. The DoS condition affects the core functionality of the security appliance, potentially leaving networks exposed to additional threats during the recovery period, while also impacting the reliability of encrypted communications that depend on these devices for secure tunnel establishment. Organizations may experience cascading failures if the affected devices serve as critical network gateways or security boundaries within their infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-1706 should prioritize immediate software updates and patches provided by Cisco to address the specific logic error in the cryptography module. Network administrators must implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual IPsec session activity patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, while also considering network segmentation approaches to limit the potential impact of successful attacks. The implementation of rate limiting and session control measures can help reduce the effectiveness of exploitation attempts by limiting the number of concurrent IPsec sessions that can be established. Organizations should also maintain comprehensive incident response procedures that account for the potential for unauthenticated remote exploitation and ensure rapid recovery capabilities to minimize service disruption. The vulnerability highlights the importance of continuous security assessment and patch management processes, particularly for critical infrastructure components that handle cryptographic operations and network security functions.