CVE-2018-0158: Cisco IOS and XE Software Internet Key Exchange Memory Leak Vulnerability

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2018-0158 is a high (CVSS 8.6) Improper Input Validation vulnerability in Cisco IOS Software and Cisco IOS XE Software. It is known to be exploited: CISA lists it, first on 03-03-2022. EPSS estimates a 7.19% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 94.2% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 28-03-2018
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 03-03-2022
   Added to CISA KEVCisco IOS and XE Software Internet Key Exchange Memory Leak Vulnerability
3. 17-03-2022
   CISA remediation dueApply updates per vendor instructions.
4. 12-01-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

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.

• CWE-20Improper Input ValidationThe product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly.
• CWE-401Missing Release of Memory after Effective LifetimeThe product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, making the memory unavailable for reallocation and reuse.