Cisco Security Advisory: Cisco CatOS Embedded HTTP Server Buffer Overflow

From: Cisco Systems Product Security Incident Response Team (psirtat_private)
Date: Wed Oct 16 2002 - 17:00:00 PDT

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    Cisco Security Advisory: Cisco CatOS Embedded HTTP Server Buffer Overflow
    
    Revision 1.0 FINAL
    ==================
    
    For Public Release 2002 October 16 17:00 (UTC)
    
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    Please provide your feedback on this document.
    
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    Contents
    ========
    
    Summary
    Affected Products
    Details
    Impact
    Software Versions and Fixes
    Obtaining Fixed Software
    Workarounds
    Exploitation and Public Announcements
    Status of This Notice
    Distribution
    Revision History
    Cisco Security Procedures
    
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    Summary
    =======
    
    Cisco Catalyst switches running specific versions of Cisco CatOS software are
    vulnerable to a buffer overflow in an embedded HTTP server. Only CatOS versions
    from 5.4 up to and including 7.3 which contain a "cv" in the image name are
    affected. If the HTTP server is enabled a buffer overflow can be remotely
    exploited which will cause the switch to fail and reload. The vulnerability can
    be exploited repeatedly and result in a denial of service.
    
    Workarounds are available that limit the ability to exploit the vulnerability.
    This advisory will be published at 
    http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/707/catos-http-overflow-vuln.shtml.
    
    Affected Products
    =================
    
    This vulnerability is only present in Cisco Catalyst switches running Cisco
    CatOS software versions 5.4 through 7.3 that contain an embedded HTTP server to
    support CiscoView network management software. The affected software images
    contain "cv" in the image name as seen here: cat6000-supcv.5-5-16.bin.
    
    Details
    =======
    
    
    If the HTTP server is enabled on a Cisco Catalyst switch running an affected
    CiscoView image, an overly long HTTP query can be received by the embedded HTTP
    server that will cause a buffer overflow and result in a software reset of the
    switch. Once the switch has recovered and has resumed normal processing it is
    vulnerable again. It remains vulnerable until the HTTP server is disabled, HTTP
    queries to the switch management port are blocked, or the switch's software has
    been upgraded to a fixed version.
    
    
    The HTTP server is disabled by default. It is typically enabled to allow web
    based management of the switch using CiscoView. Only a small subset of CatOS
    images contain this embedded HTTP server.
    
    
    This vulnerability is documented as DDTS:
    CSCdy26428 - CatOS crash with web server enabled in http_get_token.
    
    Impact
    ======
    
    The exploitation of this issue can result in a software forced reset of this
    device. Repeated exploitation may lead to a denial of service until the
    workaround for this vulnerability has been implemented or a fixed version of
    software has been loaded onto the device.
    
    Software Versions and Fixes
    ===========================
    
    All versions of CatOS software with the embedded HTTP server are vulnerable
    prior to the fixed versions listed below. Each row of the table describes a
    release train and the platforms or products for which it is intended. If a
    given release train is vulnerable, then the earliest possible releases that
    contain the fix and the anticipated date of availability for each are listed in
    the Rebuild, Interim, and Maintenance columns. A device running any release in
    the given train that is earlier than the release in a specific column (less
    than the earliest fixed release) is known to be vulnerable, and it should be
    upgraded at least to the indicated release or a later version (greater than the
    earliest fixed release label).
    
    When selecting a release, keep in mind the following definitions:
    
    Maintenance
    ===========
    
        Most heavily tested and highly recommended release of any label in a given
        row of the table.
    
    Interim
    =======
    
        Built at regular intervals between maintenance releases and receives less
        testing. Interims should be selected only if there is no other suitable
        release that addresses the vulnerability, and interim images should be
        upgraded to the next available maintenance release as soon as possible.
        Interim releases are not available via manufacturing, and usually they are
        not available for customer download from CCO without prior arrangement with
        the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC).
       
    
    +-----------------------------------------------------+
    |  Release  |      Interim       |    Maintenance     |
    |-----------+--------------------+--------------------|
    | 5.x       | 5.5(16.2)          | 5.5(17)            |
    |-----------+--------------------+--------------------|
    | 6.x       | 6.3(8.3)           | 6.3(9)             |
    |-----------+--------------------+--------------------|
    | 7.3       | not yet fixed      | not yet fixed      |
    |-----------+--------------------+--------------------|
    | 7.4       | 7.4(0.63)          | 7.4(1)             |
    +-----------------------------------------------------+
    
    Obtaining Fixed Software
    ========================
    
    Customers with contracts should obtain upgraded software through their regular
    update channels. For most customers, this means that upgrades should be
    obtained through the Software Center on Cisco's worldwide website at 
    http://www.cisco.com/kobayashi/sw-center/sw-lan.shtml.
    
    Customers whose Cisco products are provided or maintained through prior or
    existing agreement with third-party support organizations such as Cisco
    Partners, authorized resellers, or service providers should contact that
    support organization for assistance with obtaining the free software upgrade
    (s).
    
    Customers who purchase direct from Cisco but who do not hold a Cisco service
    contract and customers who purchase through third-party vendors but are
    unsuccessful at obtaining fixed software through their point of sale should get
    their upgrades by contacting the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC). TAC
    contacts are as follows:
    
      * +1 800 553 2447 (toll-free from within North America)
      * +1 408 526 7209 (toll call from anywhere in the world)
      * email: tacat_private
       
    See http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/687/Directory/DirTAC.shtml for additional
    TAC contact information, including special localized telephone numbers and
    instructions and e-mail addresses for use in various languages.
    
    Please have your product serial number available and give the URL of this
    notice as evidence of your entitlement to a free upgrade. Free upgrades for
    non-contract customers must be requested through the TAC.
    
    Please do not contact either "psirtat_private" or "security-alertat_private"
    for software upgrades.
    
    Workarounds
    ===========
    
    The HTTP server can be disabled on the on the Cisco switch.
    
    This example shows how to disable the HTTP server:
    
      Console (enable) set ip http server disable
      HTTP server disabled.
    
    The default setting for the HTTP server is disabled.
    
    You may also choose to block access to port 80 for your Cisco switch. This can
    be done with any device with traffic filtering capabilties.
    
    Exploitation and Public Announcements
    =====================================
    
    The Cisco PSIRT is not aware of any public announcements or malicious use of
    the vulnerabilities described in this advisory. This issue has been reported to
    Cisco by multiple customers.
    
    Status of This Notice: FINAL
    ======================
    
    This is a final notice. Although Cisco cannot guarantee the accuracy of all
    statements in this notice, all of the facts have been checked to the best of
    our ability. Cisco does not anticipate issuing updated versions of this notice
    unless there is some material change in the facts. Should there be a
    significant change in the facts, Cisco may update this notice.
    
    Distribution
    ============
    
    This notice will be posted on Cisco's worldwide website at 
    http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/707/catos-http-overflow-vuln.shtml. 
    In addition to worldwide web posting, a text version of this notice is
    clear-signed with the Cisco PSIRT PGP key and is posted to the following
    e-mail and Usenet news recipients:
    
      * cust-security-announceat_private
      * bugtraqat_private
      * full-disclosureat_private
      * first-teamsat_private (includes CERT/CC)
      * ciscoat_private
      * cisco-nspat_private
      * comp.dcom.sys.cisco
      * Various internal Cisco mailing lists
    
    Future updates of this notice, if any, will be placed on Cisco's worldwide web
    server, but may or may not be actively announced on mailing lists or
    newsgroups. Users concerned about this problem are encouraged to check the URL
    given above for any updates.
    
    Revision History
    ================
    
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    |Revision No.  1.0  |2002-October-16 17:00 UTC |Initial Public Release    |
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    Cisco Security Procedures
    =========================
    
    Complete information on reporting security vulnerabilities in Cisco products,
    obtaining assistance with security incidents, and registering to receive
    security information from Cisco, is available on Cisco's worldwide website at 
    http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/707/sec_incident_response.shtml. This includes
    instructions for press inquiries regarding Cisco security notices. All Cisco
    Security Advisories are available at http://www.cisco.com/go/psirt.
    
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    This notice is Copyright 2002 by Cisco Systems, Inc. This notice may be
    redistributed freely after the release date given at the top of the text,
    provided that redistributed copies are complete and unmodified, and include all
    date and version information.
    
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    All contents are Copyright © 1992--2002 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights
    reserved. 
    
    
    
    
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