Summary

• A vulnerability with the handling of MPLS traffic for Cisco NX-OS Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause the netstack process to unexpectedly restart, which could cause the device to stop processing network traffic or to reload. 

  This vulnerability is due to lack of proper error checking when processing an ingress MPLS frame. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted IPv6 packet that is encapsulated within an MPLS frame to an MPLS-enabled interface of the targeted device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition.

  Note: The IPv6 packet can be generated multiple hops away from the targeted device and then encapsulated within MPLS. The DoS condition may occur when the NX-OS device processes the packet.

  Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

  This advisory is available at the following link:
  https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ipv6-mpls-dos-R9ycXkwM

  This advisory is part of the February 2024 Cisco FXOS and NX-OS Software Security Advisory Bundled Publication. For a complete list of the advisories and links to them, see Cisco Event Response: February 2024 Semiannual Cisco FXOS and NX-OS Software Security Advisory Bundled Publication.

Affected Products

• Vulnerable Products

  This vulnerability affects the following Cisco products if they are running a vulnerable release of Cisco NX-OS Software and have MPLS configured:

  • Nexus 3000 Series Switches (CSCwh42690)
  • Nexus 5500 Platform Switches (CSCva52387)
  • Nexus 5600 Platform Switches (CSCva52387)
  • Nexus 6000 Series Switches (CSCva52387)
  • Nexus 7000 Series Switches (CSCva52387)
  • Nexus 9000 Series Switches in standalone NX-OS mode (CSCwh42690)

  For information about which Cisco software releases are vulnerable, see the Fixed Software section of this advisory.

  Determine Whether a Device is Configured for MPLS

  To determine whether a device is configured for MPLS, use the show mpls interface detail CLI command. If the switch is configured for MPLS and is configured to use MPLS on at least one interface, the output will include MPLS operational, as shown in the following example:

  nxos# show mpls interface detail 
  Interface Ethernet1/4/1:
          ldp enabled
          MPLS operational
          Label space id 0x10000001
          MPLS sub-layer Ethernet1/4/1-mpls layer(0x26000001)
  Interface Ethernet1/6/1:
          ldp enabled
          MPLS operational
          Label space id 0x10000001
          MPLS sub-layer Ethernet1/6/1-mpls layer(0x26000002)

  If the show mpls interface detail is not a valid CLI command on the device, the device can be considered not vulnerable.

  Products Confirmed Not Vulnerable

  Only products listed in the Vulnerable Products section of this advisory are known to be affected by this vulnerability.

  Cisco has confirmed that this vulnerability does not affect the following Cisco products:

  • Firepower 1000 Series
  • Firepower 2100 Series
  • Firepower 4100 Series
  • Firepower 9300 Security Appliances
  • MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Switches
  • Nexus 1000 Virtual Edge for VMware vSphere
  • Nexus 1000V Switch for Microsoft Hyper-V
  • Nexus 1000V Switch for VMware vSphere
  • Nexus 9000 Series Fabric Switches in ACI mode
  • Secure Firewall 3100 Series
  • Secure Firewall 4200 Series
  • UCS 6200 Series Fabric Interconnects
  • UCS 6300 Series Fabric Interconnects
  • UCS 6400 Series Fabric Interconnects
  • UCS 6500 Series Fabric Interconnects

Workarounds

• There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Fixed Software

• Cisco has released free software updates that address the vulnerability described in this advisory. Customers with service contracts that entitle them to regular software updates should obtain security fixes through their usual update channels.

  Customers may only install and expect support for software versions and feature sets for which they have purchased a license. By installing, downloading, accessing, or otherwise using such software upgrades, customers agree to follow the terms of the Cisco software license:
  https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/end-user-license-agreement.html

  Additionally, customers may only download software for which they have a valid license, procured from Cisco directly, or through a Cisco authorized reseller or partner. In most cases this will be a maintenance upgrade to software that was previously purchased. Free security software updates do not entitle customers to a new software license, additional software feature sets, or major revision upgrades.

  The Cisco Support and Downloads page on Cisco.com provides information about licensing and downloads. This page can also display customer device support coverage for customers who use the My Devices tool.

  When considering software upgrades, customers are advised to regularly consult the advisories for Cisco products, which are available from the Cisco Security Advisories page, to determine exposure and a complete upgrade solution.

  In all cases, customers should ensure that the devices to be upgraded contain sufficient memory and confirm that current hardware and software configurations will continue to be supported properly by the new release. If the information is not clear, customers are advised to contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) or their contracted maintenance providers.

  Customers Without Service Contracts

  Customers who purchase directly from Cisco but do not hold a Cisco service contract and customers who make purchases through third-party vendors but are unsuccessful in obtaining fixed software through their point of sale should obtain upgrades by contacting the Cisco TAC: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/web/tsd-cisco-worldwide-contacts.html

  Customers should have the product serial number available and be prepared to provide the URL of this advisory as evidence of entitlement to a free upgrade.

  Cisco NX-OS Software

  To help customers determine their exposure to vulnerabilities in Cisco NX-OS Software, Cisco provides the Cisco Software Checker. This tool identifies any Cisco security advisories that impact a specific software release and the earliest release that fixes the vulnerabilities that are described in each advisory (“First Fixed”). If applicable, the tool also returns the earliest release that fixes all the vulnerabilities described in all the advisories that the Software Checker identifies (“Combined First Fixed”).

  To use the tool, go to the Cisco Software Checker page and follow the instructions. Alternatively, use the following form to search for vulnerabilities that affect a specific software release. To use the form, follow these steps:

  1. Choose which advisories the tool will search—only this advisory, only advisories with a Critical or High Security Impact Rating (SIR), or all advisories.
  2. Choose the appropriate software.
  3. Choose the appropriate platform.
  4. Enter a release number—for example, 7.0(3)I7(5) for Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches or 14.0(1h) for Cisco NX-OS Software in ACI mode.
  5. Click Check.

   

  Only this advisory All Critical and High advisories All advisories Cisco NX-OS Software Cisco NX-OS Software in ACI Mode Any Platform MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Switches Nexus 1000V Series Switches Nexus 3000 Series Switches Nexus 5000 Series Switches Nexus 6000 Series Switches Nexus 7000 Series Switches Nexus 9000 Series Switches

   

   

  Cisco Nexus 3000 and 9000 Series Switches SMUs

  Cisco has released the following SMUs to address this vulnerability. Customers can download the SMUs from the Software Center on Cisco.com.

  Cisco NX-OS Software Release	Platform	SMU Name
  9.3(12)	Nexus 3000 and 9000 Series Switches	nxos.CSCwh42690-n9k_ALL-1.0.0-9.3.12.lib32_n9000.rpm
  10.2(6)	Nexus 3000 and 9000 Series Switches	nxos64-cs.CSCwh42690-1.0.0-10.2.6.lib32_64_n9000.rpm nxos64-msll.CSCwh42690-1.0.0-10.2.6.lib32_64_n9000.rpm

  For details about downloading and installing SMUs in Cisco NX-OS Software for Cisco Nexus 3000 Series and 9000 Series Switches, see the Performing Software Maintenance Upgrades section of the Cisco NX-OS system management configuration guides for Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches and Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches.

  Additional Resources

  For help determining the best Cisco NX-OS Software release for a Cisco Nexus Switch, see the following Recommended Releases documents. If a security advisory recommends a later release, Cisco recommends following the advisory guidance.

  Cisco MDS Series Switches
  Cisco Nexus 1000V for VMware Switch
  Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches
  Cisco Nexus 5500 Platform Switches
  Cisco Nexus 5600 Platform Switches
  Cisco Nexus 6000 Series Switches
  Cisco Nexus 7000 Series Switches
  Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches
  Cisco Nexus 9000 Series ACI-Mode Switches

  To determine the best release for Cisco UCS Software, see the Recommended Releases documents in the release notes for the device.

Exploitation and Public Announcements

• The Cisco Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) is not aware of any public announcements or malicious use of the vulnerability that is described in this advisory.

Source

• This vulnerability was found during the resolution of a Cisco TAC support case.

URL

• https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ipv6-mpls-dos-R9ycXkwM

Revision History

• Version	Description	Section	Status	Date
  1.0	Initial public release.	—	Final	2024-FEB-28

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