CVE-2020-3264 in SD-WAN Solution
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in Cisco SD-WAN Solution software could allow an authenticated, local attacker to cause a buffer overflow on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted traffic to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to gain access to information that they are not authorized to access and make changes to the system that they are not authorized to make.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-3264 resides within the Cisco SD-WAN Solution software, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of network infrastructure deployments. This issue affects organizations relying on Cisco's software-defined wide area network solutions, which are designed to optimize and manage enterprise network connections across distributed locations. The vulnerability manifests as a buffer overflow condition that occurs when the affected device processes incoming traffic without adequate input validation mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to compromise system security. The exploit requires an authenticated local attacker, meaning the adversary must already possess legitimate credentials to initiate the attack vector, though this prerequisite does not diminish the severity of potential impact.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the software's processing routines, specifically targeting buffer management protocols that handle network traffic parsing. When crafted malicious input reaches the affected device, the system fails to properly validate the size and content of incoming data, leading to memory corruption that can result in arbitrary code execution or information disclosure. This flaw aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions as a fundamental weakness in data handling and memory management practices. The buffer overflow occurs during the processing of network packets, where the software attempts to copy data into fixed-size buffers without checking if the incoming data exceeds allocated memory boundaries, thereby creating a condition where adjacent memory locations become overwritten.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-3264 extends beyond simple data corruption, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges and access sensitive system information that should remain restricted to authorized personnel. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to configuration data, user credentials, and other confidential information stored within the SD-WAN solution environment. Additionally, the compromised system might allow for unauthorized modifications to network policies, routing configurations, and security settings, potentially disrupting network operations and creating persistent backdoors for further exploitation. The attack vector operates through network-based traffic manipulation, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network monitoring and intrusion detection systems may not immediately identify the subtle indicators of buffer overflow exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from network administrators and security teams responsible for Cisco SD-WAN deployments. The primary recommendation involves applying the official Cisco security patches and updates that address the input validation deficiencies in the affected software versions. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access control measures to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, ensuring that even if an attacker gains access to one system, they cannot easily move laterally within the network infrastructure. Network traffic monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous patterns that might indicate buffer overflow exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of the vulnerable software. The mitigation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which addresses local privilege escalation through system exploitation, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures that address both immediate patching requirements and long-term security posture improvements.