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Security Activity Bulletin

Cisco VPN Client Improper StartServiceCtrlDispatcher Behavior

 
Threat Type:Unintended Weakness: Denial of Service
IntelliShield ID:19445
Version:1
First Published:2009 November 19 19:26 GMT
Last Published:2009 November 19 19:26 GMT
Vector:Local
Authentication:Multiple
Exploit:Functional
Port: Not Available
CVE:CVE-2009-4118
BugTraq ID:37077
Urgency: Weakness
Credibility: Confirmed
Severity: Harrassment
CVSS Base:1.4 CVSS Calculator
CVSS Version 2
CVSS Temporal:1.2
 
Version Summary:

The Cisco VPN client for Windows may improperly terminate the cvpnd service when invoked from the command line.  Updated software is available.

 

Description
 

Cisco VPN client for Windows versions prior to 5.0.06.0100 contain an issue that may cause the cvpnd service to terminate.

The Cisco VPN client for Windows uses the cvpnd.exe binary as the service process that is bound to the Service Control Manager of the system.  This application is not designed to be run from the command line. 

The cvpnd service improperly implements the StartServiceCtrlDispatcher function, which could cause a running instance of the service to terminate; this termination leads to the tear down of any active VPN session.  This behavior occurs due to a failure to properly trap the ERROR_FAILED_SERVICE_CONTROLLER_CONNECT error, which indicates that a service binary has been executed as a console application. 

Cisco has documented this issue in Cisco bug ID CSCsz49276

Cisco has released updated software that resolves this issue.

Cisco customers with active contracts can obtain updates through the Software Center at the following link: Cisco.  Cisco customers without contracts can obtain upgrades by contacting the Cisco Technical Assistance Center at 1-800-553-2447 or 1-408-526-7209 or via e-mail at tac@cisco.com.

This issue was found and reported to Cisco by Alex Hernandez from Syb Information Security, Inc.  Cisco PSIRT greatly appreciates the opportunity to work with researchers on security vulnerabilities and welcomes the opportunity to review and assist in product reports.

 
Alert History
 

Initial Release



Product Sets
 
The security vulnerability applies to the following combinations of products.

Primary Products:
CiscoCisco VPN Client for Windows3.6.5 Base | 4.8.00 .0440 , .0490, Base | 4.8.01 Base | 4.8.02 .0010, Base | 4.9 Base | 5.0.00 .340, Base | 5.0.01 .0600, Base | 5.0.02 .0090, Base | 5.0.03.0530 Base | 5.0.03.0560 Base | 5.0.04.0300 Base | 5.0.05.0290 Base

Associated Products:
N/A




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The urgency and severity ratings of this alert are not tailored to individual users; users may value alerts differently based upon their network configurations and circumstances. THE ALERT, AND INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN, ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS AND DO NOT IMPLY ANY KIND OF GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE. YOUR USE OF THE ALERT, AND INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN, OR MATERIALS LINKED FROM THE ALERT, IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. INFORMATION IN THIS ALERT AND ANY RELATED COMMUNICATIONS IS BASED ON OUR KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. CISCO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR UPDATE ALERTS AT ANY TIME.
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