CVE-2000-0612 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Windows 95 and Windows 98 do not properly process spoofed ARP packets, which allows remote attackers to overwrite static entries in the cache table.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2014
The vulnerability described in CVE-2000-0612 represents a significant flaw in the implementation of Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) handling within Windows 95 and Windows 98 operating systems. This weakness stems from the operating systems' failure to properly validate and authenticate ARP packets received from network sources, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit the ARP cache mechanism. The vulnerability specifically targets the static ARP entry management functionality, where legitimate network devices can be deceived into accepting falsified address resolution information.
The technical flaw manifests when the Windows 95 and 98 systems receive spoofed ARP packets that appear to originate from legitimate network sources. These systems lack proper validation mechanisms to verify the authenticity of ARP responses, allowing attackers to inject false mappings between IP addresses and MAC addresses into the ARP cache table. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the network layer where ARP is responsible for translating network addresses to physical hardware addresses, making it a critical component of local network communication. This flaw aligns with CWE-222, which addresses improper handling of input data in network protocols, and specifically relates to improper validation of ARP packet integrity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network disruption to enable sophisticated man-in-the-middle attacks and network reconnaissance activities. Attackers can leverage this weakness to redirect network traffic through malicious intermediaries, potentially intercepting sensitive data communications or disrupting network services. The ability to overwrite static ARP entries means that even intentionally configured static mappings can be compromised, undermining network security policies and configurations that rely on predictable network addressing. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1565.001, which covers "Implant Execution: Process Injection" through network-based attacks that manipulate address resolution protocols to gain unauthorized access to network resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of network security controls including ARP inspection mechanisms, network segmentation, and the deployment of network monitoring tools that can detect anomalous ARP activity. System administrators should implement static ARP entries with proper validation and consider network access control lists to restrict ARP traffic from untrusted sources. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to modern operating systems that properly implement ARP validation and security features, as Windows 95 and 98 are no longer supported and lack the security updates necessary to address such fundamental protocol flaws. Organizations should also implement network intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious ARP behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper protocol implementation and validation in network security infrastructure, particularly when dealing with foundational communication protocols that underpin network connectivity.