cisco.7xx.tcp.http.txt

`Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 16:00:00 -0000  
From: [email protected]  
Reply-To: [email protected]  
To: [email protected]  
Subject: Cisco security notice: Cisco 7xx TCP and HTTP vulnerabilities  
  
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----  
  
Cisco 7xx TCP and HTTP Vulnerabilities  
=================================================  
Revision 1.1  
For release 08:00 AM US/Pacific, Thursday, March 11, 1999  
  
Cisco internal use only until release date  
  
Summary  
=======  
This notice addresses two unrelated security vulnerabilities in the software  
used on the Cisco 7xx series of small-office and home-office routers. These  
vulnerabilities affect only the 7xx series routers (not the 7xxx series); no  
other Cisco product is affected.  
  
The first vulnerability, which has been assigned Cisco bug ID CSCdm03231,  
can be used to cause system reloads, and therefore denial of service, using  
TCP connections to the routers' TELNET ports.  
  
The second vulnerability has not been assigned a bug ID. 7xx routers running  
software versions 3.2(5) through 4.2(3) support a simple HTTP server. This  
HTTP server is enabled by default. Unless the server is explicitly disabled,  
it can be used to make changes to the router configuration, and/or to gain  
information about that configuration. This is intentional behavior, but is  
mentioned in this notice because it appears that customers have been caught  
unawares by it.  
  
There are configuration workarounds for both of these vulnerabilities.  
  
Who Is Affected  
===============  
Only networks incorporating 7xx series small-office/home-office routers are  
affected by these vulnerabilities. 7xx routers are designed to provide  
network connectivity for small remote networks using ISDN BRI lines. If your  
network includes 7xx series routers, they are most likely to be found in the  
homes of network users, or in remote offices with no more than a few  
employees.  
  
CSCdm03231 affects all Cisco 7xx routers, running any software version up to  
and including release 4.2(3), whose administrators have not taken specific  
steps to filter incoming TCP connections. Such filtering is not enabled by  
default. Routers running release 4.3(1) or later software are not affected  
by CSCdm03231.  
  
The HTTP server is present in all software releases from 3.2(5) through  
4.2(3), inclusive. The server is enabled by default in all of these software  
versions.  
  
Impact  
======  
  
Impact of CSCdm03231  
- ------------------  
CSCdm03231 permits a remote attacker to force a 7xx router to reload,  
denying service to the router's home or small office user. It may sometimes  
be possible to degrade performance without actually inducing a router  
reload. The attack consumes relatively little bandwidth compared to  
flooding-based denial of service attacks. In all cases, the router will  
recover after the attack stops; the attacker must send traffic continuously  
to maintain denial of service. However, if the router has reloaded, the end  
user may have to take some installation-dependent action to cause the router  
to redial the ISDN connection.  
  
This vulnerability does not give attackers access to the router CLI, nor  
does it give them any other way of controlling the router beyond inducing  
denial of service.  
  
Impact of the Presence of the HTTP Server  
- ---------------------------------------  
If the HTTP server is enabled, it can be used to change the router's  
configuration, or to retrieve information about that configuration. No  
special tools are required.  
  
Software Details  
================  
CSCdm03231 affects all software versions earlier than 4.3(1). Customers with  
76x or 77x routers should upgrade to release 4.3(1). Because of memory  
limitations, release 4.3 is not supported on the 75x routers; customers with  
75x routers should use IP filtering as described in the "Workarounds"  
section.  
  
The HTTP server is present in all software versions from 3.2(5) through  
4.2(3). It is not present in 3.2(4) or earlier releases, nor is it present  
in 4.3. Customers with 76x or 77x routers should upgrade to release 4.3(1),  
primarily because of the desirability of installing the CSCdm03231 fix. The  
HTTP server may be disabled in any software version; disabling the server is  
the recommended course of action for customers with 75x routers.  
  
Getting Fixed Software  
- --------------------  
Cisco is offering free software upgrades to remedy CSCdm03231 for all  
vulnerable customers, regardless of contract status. Customers with service  
contracts may upgrade to any software version, although they may only  
install the feature sets they've already purchased. Customers without  
contracts may upgrade to version 4.3(1).  
  
Customers with contracts should obtain upgraded software through their  
regular update channels. For most customers, this means that upgrades should  
be obtained via the Software Center on Cisco's Worldwide Web site at  
http://www.cisco.com.  
  
Customers without contracts 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: [email protected]  
  
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 "[email protected]" or  
"[email protected]" for software upgrades.  
  
Workarounds  
===========  
  
Workaround for CSCdm03231  
- -----------------------  
CSCdm03231 can be made much less useful to attackers by preventing incoming  
TCP connections to the router from untrusted hosts. This can be done with  
the set ip filter profile command, as in the following example:  
  
set ip filter tcp source = not trusted-host destination = router block  
  
This example would configure the router to accept incoming TCP connections  
only from a single trusted administrative host. More elaborate  
configurations, permitting connections of various types from various hosts,  
are possible; see the router documentation for more information.  
  
Disabling the HTTP Server  
- -----------------------  
The HTTP server may be disabled with the system command set clickstart off.  
  
Exploitation and Public Announcements  
=====================================  
Cisco knows of no public announcements or discussion of CSCdm03231 before  
the date of this notice. Cisco has had no reports of malicious exploitation  
of CSCdm03231. CSCdm03231 was found by an outside security company during  
laboratory testing.  
  
A simple program is needed to effectively exploit CSCdm03231. Although Cisco  
knows of no program available to the public specifically for this purpose,  
writing such a program would require very little effort, and only the most  
basic of skill. Also, certain publicly-available programs intended for other  
purposes could be used or adapted to exploit the vulnerability.  
  
Cisco has had no reports of abuse of the HTTP server on the 7xx series.  
However, the potential for abuse is discussed in the product documentation,  
and must be considered to be known to potential attackers.  
  
Status of This Notice  
=====================  
This is a final field notice. Although Cisco cannot guarantee the accuracy  
of all statements in this notice, all 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 Web site at  
http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/770/7xxconn-pub.shtml . In addition to  
Worldwide Web posting, the initial version of this notice is being sent to  
the following e-mail and Usenet news recipients:  
  
* [email protected]  
* [email protected]  
* [email protected] (includes CERT/CC)  
* 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  
- --------------  
Revision 1.0, Initial release candidate version  
22:00 US/Pacific  
09-MAR-1999  
Revision 1.1, Minor editing of software names  
09:30 US/Pacific  
10-MAR-1999  
  
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 Worlwide  
Web site at  
  
http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/791/sec_incident_response.shtml  
  
This includes instructions for press inquiries regarding Cisco security  
notices.  
  
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------  
This notice is copyright 1999 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, including  
all date and version information.  
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------  
  
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Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 11:44:28 -0500  
From: X-Force <[email protected]>  
To: [email protected]  
Subject: ISS Security Advisory: Remote Reconfiguration and Denial of  
Service Vulnerabilities in Cisco 700 ISDN Routers  
  
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----  
  
ISS Security Advisory  
March 11, 1999  
  
  
Remote Reconfiguration and Denial of Service Vulnerabilities in Cisco 700  
ISDN Routers  
  
Synopsis:  
  
Internet Security Systems (ISS) X-Force has discovered several  
vulnerabilities in Cisco Series 700 routers. The Cisco 700 series is  
popular among corporate users and telecommuters. It is used to support  
networks in small offices or home offices. It is also recommended by  
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) for personal ISDN connectivity. Remote  
attackers may issue commands to the router without authentication. Remote  
attackers may also deny network connectivity by forcing the router to  
reboot.  
  
  
Affected Versions:  
  
All versions of IOS/700 on all Cisco 700 series routers are vulnerable. The  
700 series includes all models in the 760 and 770 series including the 762M,  
766M, 772M, and the 776M. All international models in this series are also  
vulnerable.  
  
  
Description:  
  
The Cisco 700 series was formerly known as the Combinet 750 series. Cisco  
acquired Combinet and repackaged its products as the Cisco 700 series. The  
Cisco 700 series runs a non-traditional Cisco operating system. This  
advisory is  
limited to Cisco 700 series routers only.  
  
Attackers may also take advantage of remote reconfiguration vulnerabilities  
in ClickStart. ClickStart is a small embedded web server in the IOS/700  
that allows for easy remote configuration. ClickStart may allow remote  
attackers to connect to the router via its web server and issue certain  
commands to the router. Attackers may also learn which type of switch is  
connected to the router, as well as the telephone numbers for the ISDN  
lines. Hackers may use this information to launch further attacks.  
  
ClickStart does not attempt to authenticate users that connect to the web  
server, nor does it automatically filter connection attempts from outside  
the currently configured subnet. The 700s have the ability to filter these  
attacks. For detailed filtering information, users must refer to Cisco's  
on-line documentation.  
  
Cisco 700 series is vulnerable to remote resource starvation attacks that  
can immediately force the router to panic and reboot. These attacks can be  
repeated indefinitely to permanently deny service to the router. The Cisco  
700 series is also vulnerable to similar well-known denial of service  
attacks.  
  
  
Recommendations:  
  
The ClickStart option is always set to "on" unless it is explicitly turned  
off. The following command will disable ClickStart:  
  
Router> set clickstart off  
  
All affected users are urged to review the "For More Information" section of  
this advisory. Cisco urges all Cisco 77x and 76x users to upgrade to  
IOS/700 version 4.3(1). This version is not supported by the Cisco 75x  
routers. All service contract customers may download updates at the  
following address:  
  
http://www.cisco.com/cgi-bin/tablebuild.pl/760  
  
Non-contract customers should contact 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: [email protected]  
  
  
For more information:  
  
Cisco has compiled a document entitled "Cisco 7xx TCP and HTTP  
Vulnerabilities" that contains more specific information, as well as  
workarounds for these vulnerabilities. It is available at the following  
address:  
  
http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/770/7xxconn-pub.shtml  
  
More extensive online documentation for the Cisco 700 series is available  
at:  
  
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/access/acs_fix/750/700cr/ind  
ex.htm  
  
  
Credits:  
  
These vulnerabilities were primarily researched by Dan Ingevaldson of the  
ISS X-Force. ISS appreciates the assistance of the individuals at Cisco  
Systems.  
  
  
________  
  
Copyright (c) 1999 by Internet Security Systems, Inc. Permission is  
hereby granted for the electronic redistribution of this Security Alert.  
It is not to be edited in any way without express consent of the X-Force.  
If you wish to reprint the whole or any part of this Alert Summary in any  
other medium excluding electronic medium, please e-mail [email protected] for  
permission.  
  
Internet Security Systems, Inc. (ISS) is the leading provider of adaptive  
network security monitoring, detection, and response software that  
protects the security and integrity of enterprise information systems. By  
dynamically detecting and responding to security vulnerabilities and  
threats inherent in open systems, ISS's SAFEsuite family of products  
provide protection across the enterprise, including the Internet,  
extranets, and internal networks, from attacks, misuse, and security  
policy violations. ISS has delivered its adaptive network security  
solutions to organizations worldwide, including firms in the Global 2000,  
nine of the ten largest U.S. commercial banks, and over 35 governmental  
agencies. For more information, call ISS at 678-443-6000 or 800-776-2362  
or visit the ISS Web site at http://www.iss.net..  
  
Disclaimer  
The information within this paper may change without notice. Use of this  
information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There  
are NO warranties with regard to this information. In no event shall the  
author be liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of or in  
connection with the use or spread of this information. Any use of this  
information is at the user's own risk.  
  
X-Force PGP Key available at: http://www.iss.net/xforce/sensitive.html  
as well as on MIT's PGP key server and PGP.com's key server.  
  
Please send suggestions, updates, and comments to:  
X-Force <[email protected]> of Internet Security Systems, Inc.  
  
  
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