Software Engineering Institute

The Cisco Content Service Switch (CSS) products include support for the session and application layers. This additional functionality allows a CSS device to make packet switching decisions based on packet contents (such as HTML tags) rather than relying solely upon packet header information.

The CSS 11000 series switch contains a vulnerability that causes the device to reboot when an HTTPS POST request is sent to its web management interface. Please note that this vulnerability can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers.

This vulnerability allows arbitrary remote attackers to reboot affected devices, creating a denial-of-service condition.

Apply a patch from Cisco

Cisco has prepared a patch to address this vulnerability. For more information on affected products and obtaining patches, please see

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/707/css-http-post-pub.shtml

Prevent access to the web management interface

Cisco customers who are unable to patch affected devices can limit the exploitation of this vulnerability by preventing access to the web management interface. This can be accomplished via the use of a firewall or by disabling the web management interface from an alternate management interface.