Catalyst 6500
CVE-2012-4659
HIGH
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A07:2025 - Authentication Failures
ASVS 5.0
V6 - Authentication Authentication mechanism validation
MITRE ATT&CK
2 techniques across 2 tactics: Defense Evasion, Initial Access The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. |
| Impact | CVSS score of 7.1 (HIGH). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, M complexity. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.56%. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | A remote attacker could bypass authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access by sending crafted requests to the affected application. |
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Alert meAnalysisAI
The AAA functionality in the IPv4 SSL VPN implementations on Cisco Adaptive Security Appliances (ASA) 5500 series devices, and the ASA Services Module (ASASM) in Cisco Catalyst 6500 series devices,. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
RemediationAI
No vendor patch is available at time of analysis. Monitor vendor advisories for updates. Implement multi-factor authentication, enforce strong password policies, use proven authentication frameworks.
Affects your stack
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Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.
Technical ContextAI · show details
This vulnerability is classified as Improper Authentication (CWE-287), which allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access. The AAA functionality in the IPv4 SSL VPN implementations on Cisco Adaptive Security Appliances (ASA) 5500 series devices, and the ASA Services Module (ASASM) in Cisco Catalyst 6500 series devices, with software 8.2 before 8.2(5.30) and 8.3 before 8.3(2.34) allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reload) via a crafted authentication response, aka Bug ID CSCtz04566. Affected products include: Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software, Cisco 5500 Series Adaptive Security Appliance, Cisco Catalyst 6500, Cisco Catalyst 6503-E, Cisco Catalyst 6504-E. Version information: before 8.2.
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Severity by source
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:C
Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorNVD
DescriptionCVE.org
The AAA functionality in the IPv4 SSL VPN implementations on Cisco Adaptive Security Appliances (ASA) 5500 series devices, and the ASA Services Module (ASASM) in Cisco Catalyst 6500 series devices, with software 8.2 before 8.2(5.30) and 8.3 before 8.3(2.34) allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reload) via a crafted authentication response, aka Bug ID CSCtz04566.
Threat Intelligence Overview
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.
Denial of Service attacks render applications or systems unavailable by overwhelming resources or triggering failure conditions.
Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org
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GitHub PoC
Exploit-DB