[VulnWatch] Cisco Security Advisory:Cisco 11500 Content Services Switch SSL Malformed Client Certificate Vulnerability

From: Cisco Systems Product Security Incident Response Team (psirt_at_cisco.com)
Date: 10/19/05

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    Date: Thursday, 19 Oct 2005 11:00:00 -0500
    
    

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    Cisco Security Advisory: Cisco 11500 Content Services Switch SSL
    Malformed Client Certificate Vulnerability
    ==========================================================================

    Document ID: 67919

    Revision 1.0

    For Public Release 2005 October 19 1600 UTC (GMT)
    +-------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Contents

        Summary
        Affected Products
        Details
        Impact
        Software Versions and Fixes
        Obtaining Fixed Software
        Workarounds
        Exploitation and Public Announcements
        Status of This Notice: FINAL
        Distribution
        Revision History
        Cisco Security Procedures

    +------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Summary
    =======

    Cisco CSS 11500 Series Content Services Switches (CSS) configured with
    Secure Socket Layer (SSL) termination services are vulnerable to a
    Denial of Service (DoS) attack when processing malformed client
    certificates. Cisco has made free software available to address this
    vulnerability. There are workarounds available to mitigate the effects
    of the vulnerability.

    This advisory is posted at
    http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/707/cisco-sa-20051019-css.shtml

    Affected Products
    =================

    Vulnerable Products
    +------------------

    Cisco CSS 11500 Series Content Services Switches running the following
    versions of the Cisco WebNS operating system:

      * 7.1
      * 7.2
      * 7.3
      * 7.4
      * 7.5

    The version of Cisco WebNS running on a CSS can be determined by
    running the following command:

        # show version

    Products Confirmed Not Vulnerable
    +--------------------------------

    Cisco CSS 11000 Series Content Services Switches

    No other Cisco products are currently known to be affected by these
    vulnerabilities.

    Details
    =======

    The Cisco CSS 11500 Content Service Switch is load balancing device
    designed to provide robust, scalable network services (Layer 4-7) for
    data centers. The Cisco CSS 11500 performs an analysis of protocol
    headers and directs requests to an appropriate resource based on
    configurable policies. With integrated SSL modules, a Cisco CSS 11500
    can simplify the management of digital cerfiticates and provide SSL
    acceleration services to optimize performance.

    A Cisco CSS 11500 may reload due to a memory corruption issue when
    presented with a malformed digital client certificate during the
    negotiation of a SSL session. This condition is present even if the CSS
    did not request a client certificate during SSL session negotiations.
    This vulnerability is only present if a CSS is configured to support
    SSL termination services. SSL termination services are not configured
    by default.

    Users can determine if SSL termination services are configured on a CSS
    by performing the following steps.

      * View the current running configuration:
       
            # show running-config
       
      * In the Services section of the configuration, users can find
        enabled SSL termination services. An example of an enabled SSL
        termination service called ssl-serv1 will look similar to the
        following. The type command with the option ssl-accel or
        ssl-accel-backend indicates that the service is associated with a
        SSL module, and the active command signifies that a SSL termination
        service is enabled.
       
            service ssl-serv1
                    type ssl-accel
                    slot 3
                    keepalive type none
                    add ssl-proxy-list ssl list1
                    active
       
    The vulnerability is documented in the following Cisco Bug ID:

      * CSCee64771 ( registered customers only) -- CSS running SSL may
        crash with malformed client certificates

    Impact
    ======

    Successful exploitation of the vulnerability may result in the
    immediate reload of the device. Repeated exploitation could result in a
    sustained DoS attack.

    Software Versions and Fixes
    ===========================

    When considering software upgrades, consult
    http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/
    products_security_advisories_listing.html
    and any subsequent advisories to determine exposure and a
    complete upgrade solution.

    In all cases, customers should exercise caution to be certain the
    devices to be upgraded contain sufficient memory and that current
    hardware and software configurations will continue to be supported
    properly by the new release. If the information is not clear, contact
    the Cisco Technical Assistance Center ("TAC") for assistance.

    +----------------------------------------+
    | Train | Fixed Releases |
    |---------------------+------------------|
    | 7.3 | 7.30.4.02 and |
    | | later |
    |---------------------+------------------|
    | 7.4 | 7.40.2.02 and |
    | | later |
    |---------------------+------------------|
    | 7.5 | 7.50.1.03 and |
    | | later |
    +----------------------------------------+

    Customers running Cisco WebNS 7.10 and 7.20 are encouraged to upgrade
    CSS platforms to a fixed version of Cisco WebNS 7.30 or greater. Fixed
    software may be obtained by registered users at
    http://www.cisco.com/pcgi-bin/tablebuild.pl/css11500-maint

    Obtaining Fixed Software
    ========================

    Customers with Service Contracts
    +-------------------------------

    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.

    Customers using Third-party Support Organizations
    +------------------------------------------------

    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 the upgrade,
    which should be free of charge.

    Customers without Service Contracts
    +----------------------------------

    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)
      * e-mail: tac@cisco.com

    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.

    Do not contact either "psirt@cisco.com" or "security-alert@cisco.com"
    for software upgrades.

    Refer to 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.

    Customers may only install and expect support for the feature sets they
    have purchased. By installing, downloading, accessing or otherwise
    using such software upgrades, customers agree to be bound by the terms
    of Cisco's software license terms found at
    http://www.cisco.com/public/sw-license-agreement.html,
    or as otherwise set forth at Cisco.com Downloads at
    http://www.cisco.com/public/sw-center/sw-usingswc.shtml.

    Workarounds
    ===========

    The effectiveness of any workaround is dependent on specific customer
    situations such as product mix, network topology, traffic behavior, and
    organizational mission. Due to the variety of affected products and
    releases, customers should consult with their service provider or
    support organization to ensure any applied workaround is the most
    appropriate for use in the intended network before it is deployed.

    If upgrading to a fixed version of Cisco WebNS software is not
    possible, the following workarounds are available.

      * Disable SSL termination for network services if not needed.
        In service configuration mode, a user can disable a SSL service
        using the following commands. ssl-serv1 is the name of a user
        defined SSL service.
       
            (config)# no service ssl-serv1
            Delete service <ssl>, [y/n]:y
       
        Documentation for configuring SSL services on a CSS running Cisco
        WebNS 7.40 can be found at
        http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/contnetw/ps792/
        products_configuration_guide_book09186a008027ab4e.html.
        
        Documentation for configuring SSL services on a CSS running Cisco
        WebNS 7.50 can be found at
        http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/contnetw/ps792/
        products_configuration_guide_book09186a0080405453.html.
       
      * Use Access Control Lists (ACL) on a CSS or network device in front
        of a CSS to restrict access to SSL terminated services to trusted
        networks.
        Documentation for configuring an ACL on a CSS running Cisco WebNS
        7.40 can be found at
        http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/contnetw/ps792/
        products_configuration_guide_chapter09186a008029b1db.html#wp1133930
        
        Documentation for configuring an ACL on a CSS running Cisco WebNS
        7.50 can be found at
        http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/contnetw/ps792/
        products_configuration_guide_chapter09186a008040aeb9.html#wp1133930

    Exploitation and Public Announcements
    =====================================

    The Cisco PSIRT is not aware of any public announcements or malicious
    use of the vulnerability described in this advisory.

    Status of This Notice: FINAL

    THIS ADVISORY IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS AND DOES NOT IMPLY ANY
    KIND OF GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY, INCLUDING THE WARRANTY OF
    MERCHANTABILITY. YOUR USE OF THE INFORMATION ON THE ADVISORY OR
    MATERIALS LINKED FROM THE ADVISORY IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. CISCO RESERVES
    THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR UPDATE THIS NOTICE AT ANY TIME.

    A stand-alone copy or paraphrase of the text of this security advisory
    that omits the distribution URL in the following section is an
    uncontrolled copy, and may lack important information or contain
    factual errors.

    Distribution
    ============

    This advisory is posted on Cisco's worldwide website at
    http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/707/cisco-sa-20051019-css.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-announce@cisco.com
      * first-teams@first.org (includes CERT/CC)
      * bugtraq@securityfocus.com
      * vulnwatch@vulnwatch.org
      * cisco@spot.colorado.edu
      * cisco-nsp@puck.nether.net
      * full-disclosure@lists.grok.org.uk
      * comp.dcom.sys.cisco@newsgate.cisco.com

    Future updates of this advisory, if any, will be placed on Cisco's
    worldwide website, but may or may not be actively announced on mailing
    lists or newsgroups. Users concerned about this problem are encouraged
    to check the above URL for any updates.

    Revision History
    ================

    +----------------------------------------+
    | Revision | | Initial |
    | 1.0 | 2005-October-19 | public |
    | | | release. |
    +----------------------------------------+

    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/en/US/products/products_security_vulnerability_policy.html
    This includes instructions for press inquiries regarding Cisco security
    notices. All Cisco security advisories are available at
    http://www.cisco.com/go/psirt

    +----------------------------------------------------------------------

    All contents are Copyright © 1992-2005 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights
    reserved. Important Notices and Privacy Statement.

    +----------------------------------------------------------------------

    Updated: Oct 19, 2005 Document ID: 67919

    +----------------------------------------------------------------------
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