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There is a vulnerability in the zlib compression library. This code is used in multiple applications. While we have not identified any Cisco product that is directly impacted by the vulnerability, there are several products that are using third-party modules that are vulnerable or that are running on an operating system that is vulnerable. This vulnerability has been publicly disclosed.
Cisco PSIRT is still evaluating which products are affected by this vulnerability.
There is no workaround for this vulnerability.
This advisory is available at https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-20020403-zlib-double-free.
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This section provides details on affected products.
Vulnerable Products
The following products are affected:
Cache Software/ACNS
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Content Engine 507, 560, 590, and 7320 running Cache Software 3.1.1
or Application and Content Networking Software 4.0.x or 4.1.1
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Content Router 4430 and Content Distribution Manager 4630 and 4650
running Application and Content Networking Software 4.0.x or
4.1.1
ME1100
This product reached the end-of-life state in 2001. This product is no longer supported, and customers are strongly advised to migrate to a recent product.
Cisco Intrusion Detection System
Cisco IDS sensor appliances (part numbers IDS-4210, IDS-4220-E and IDS-4230-xx) are vulnerable if the sensor version as reported by nrvers is in the range 3.0(1) through 3.0(5) inclusive. The C6000 IDSM (part number WS-X6381-IDS) is not vulnerable.
Metro 1500 DWDM
All releases prior to software release 3.3b are affected.
Hosting Solution Engine (HSE)
HSE releases 1.0 and 1.3 are vulnerable.
We are still evaluating the rest of Cisco products against this vulnerability.
We have verified that the following products are not vulnerable or that exposure is negligible. Note that this is not an exhaustive list.
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Cisco IOSĀ®
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Cisco CatOS
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Cisco SN 5420 Storage Routers
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PIX Firewall
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VPN 3000, 3500
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User Registration Tool (URT)
Some products, such as Cisco IOS, use compressed images. In order to utilize this attack vector, an attacker would have to prepare a tampered distribution image and try to load it onto a device. That implies either physical or administrative access to the device. By having such access, an attacker is in a position to execute many other attacks, some of which are much easier to accomplish. Although Cisco will incorporate the fixed version of zlib in the subsequent software releases for products that belong to this category, that fact will not be reflected in this advisory.
Products Confirmed Not Vulnerable
No other Cisco products are currently known to be affected by these vulnerabilities.
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Content Engine 507, 560, 590, and 7320 running Cache Software 3.1.1
or Application and Content Networking Software 4.0.x or 4.1.1
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There is a bug in the decompression algorithm used by the popular zlib compression library. By sending a crafted block of invalid compressed data, an attacker can cause the application to corrupt internal data. This happens when the application tries to uncompress the data.
In most cases this vulnerability will cause denial of service. However, depending on the right circumstances and applications, there is a potential that an attacker could execute an arbitrary code. This code would then be executed using the privileges of the application in question.
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There is no workaround for this vulnerability.
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When considering software upgrades, also consult http://www.cisco.com/go/psirt and any subsequent advisories to determine exposure and a complete upgrade solution.
In all cases, customers should exercise caution to be certain the devices to be upgraded contain sufficient memory and that current hardware and software configurations will continue to be supported properly by the new release. If the information is not clear, contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center ("TAC") or your contracted maintenance provider for assistance.
Cache Software/ACNS
ACNS 4.1.3 is the fixed release. It will be available in the second half of April 2002.
ME1100
This product has reached the end-of-life state and the fix is not scheduled. Customers are strongly advised to migrate to a recent product.
Cisco Intrusion Detection System
Sensor appliance software version 3.1(2)S23 is the first fixed release. It is available from May 17, 2002.
Metro 1500 DWDM
The software release 3.3b is the first fixed release. It will be available on April 5, 2002.
Hosting Solution Engine
HSE release 1.4 contains the fix. It will be available on April 15, 2002.
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This vulnerability was publicly announced by third parties on March 21, 2002. The related advisories can be found at:
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To learn about Cisco security vulnerability disclosure policies and publications, see the Security Vulnerability Policy. This document also contains instructions for obtaining fixed software and receiving security vulnerability information from Cisco.
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Revision 1.1
2002-May-22
Modified Software Versions and Fixes section
Revision 1.0
2002-April-03
Initial public release.
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