Cisco IOS and XE Software Internet Key Exchange Memory Leak
CVE-2018-0158 is a high-severity missing release of memory after effective lifetime vulnerability in Cisco IOS and IOS XE, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.6 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Cisco IOS and IOS XE versions: Cisco IOS and IOS XE. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on March 3, 2022, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.
Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.
What to do
- Check which version of Cisco IOS and IOS XE you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- CISA's required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- Read the advisory on tools.cisco.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cisco IOS and IOS XE | Cisco IOS and IOS XE | Cisco IOS and IOS XE | Not stated |
| Cisco | iOS | 15.5\(3\)s1.1; 15.5\(3\)s1.2; 15.5\(3\)s1.4; 15.5\(3\)s1.5; 15.5\(3\)s1.7; 15.5\(3\)s1.8; 15.5\(3\)s1.9; 15.5\(3\)s1.10; and 2 more ranges | Not stated |
| Cisco | iOS Xe | 15.5\(3\)s1.1; 15.5\(3\)s1.2; 15.5\(3\)s1.4; 15.5\(3\)s1.5; 15.5\(3\)s1.7; 15.5\(3\)s1.8; 15.5\(3\)s1.9; 15.5\(3\)s1.10; and 2 more ranges | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.6 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.6 | High | CISA (ADP) |
| CVSS 2.0 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
A vulnerability in the Internet Key Exchange Version 2 (IKEv2) module of Cisco IOS Software and Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a memory leak or a reload of an affected device that leads to a denial of service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability is due to incorrect processing of certain IKEv2 packets. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted IKEv2 packets to an affected device to be processed. A successful exploit could cause an affected device to continuously consume memory and eventually reload, resulting in a DoS condition. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvf22394.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime
The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, making the memory unavailable for reallocation and reuse.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Choose a language or tool that provides automatic memory management, or makes manual memory management less error-prone. For example, glibc in Linux provides protection against free of invalid pointers. When using Xcode to target OS X or iOS, enable automatic reference counting (ARC). To help correctly and consistently manage memory when programming in C++, consider using a smart pointer class such as std
- Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
- Consider using the Boehm-Demers-Weiser garbage collector (bdwgc), which can help avoid leaks.
More Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime vulnerabilities (CWE-401)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
- Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-18-107-03Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource, VDB Entry
- ics-cert.us-cert.gov/advisories/ICSA-18-107-04Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource, VDB Entry
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2018-0158US Government Resource
Other vulnerabilities in Cisco IOS and IOS XE
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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