CVE-2000-0568 in Secure Desktop
Summary
by MITRE
Sybergen Secure Desktop 2.1 does not properly protect against false router advertisements (ICMP type 9), which allows remote attackers to modify default routes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0568 affects Sybergen Secure Desktop 2.1, a network security solution designed to protect against various routing attacks. This flaw represents a critical weakness in the system's handling of Internet Control Message Protocol messages, specifically targeting the ICMP type 9 router advertisements that are fundamental to IPv6 network operations. The vulnerability stems from the product's inadequate validation mechanisms that fail to properly authenticate and verify the legitimacy of router advertisement messages, creating an exploitable gap in the network's routing security infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests in the system's failure to implement proper cryptographic validation or message authentication for ICMP type 9 packets. When a malicious actor sends a false router advertisement, the Secure Desktop 2.1 system does not adequately distinguish between legitimate and forged routing information. This allows attackers to inject false routing information into the network, potentially redirecting traffic through malicious nodes or creating routing loops that can lead to network disruption or data interception. The vulnerability specifically targets the default route modification capability, enabling attackers to manipulate network traffic flow without requiring direct system compromise.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses significant risks to network integrity and security posture. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to perform route manipulation attacks, potentially redirecting sensitive network traffic through compromised nodes or creating man-in-the-middle scenarios. The impact extends beyond simple traffic redirection as it can lead to complete network partitioning, denial of service conditions, or unauthorized data access. Network administrators may remain unaware of the manipulation since the false advertisements appear legitimate to the system, making detection and mitigation particularly challenging. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-221, which addresses weaknesses in security features that result in improper handling of network routing information.
The exploitation of this vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's T1071.004 technique for application layer protocol manipulation, specifically targeting routing protocols and network communication. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform persistent network infiltration, as the modified routing information can remain undetected for extended periods. The vulnerability also connects to T1566.001, representing a network infiltration attack through the manipulation of routing information, and T1046, which involves network service scanning that can reveal routing table information to attackers. Organizations using this version of Secure Desktop should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation, enhanced monitoring of routing table changes, and deployment of additional route validation mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust router advertisement validation, deploying network intrusion detection systems capable of identifying anomalous routing behavior, and ensuring that all routing information is properly authenticated through cryptographic means. Network administrators should also consider upgrading to newer versions of the Secure Desktop software that address this vulnerability, while implementing strict access controls and monitoring protocols to detect unauthorized routing modifications. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper ICMP message handling in network security systems and serves as a reminder of the need for comprehensive validation mechanisms in all network protocol implementations.