CVE-2000-0764 in Express 500
Summary
by MITRE
Intel Express 500 series switches allow a remote attacker to cause a denial of service via a malformed IP packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0764 affects Intel Express 500 series network switches, representing a critical denial of service weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers. This flaw specifically manifests when the affected network switch receives a malformed IP packet, causing the device to become unresponsive or crash entirely. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the switch's packet processing logic, which fails to properly handle malformed network traffic. According to CWE-20, this represents a classic input validation error where the system does not adequately sanitize incoming data before processing it, creating an avenue for malicious actors to disrupt network operations. The affected Intel Express 500 series switches operate at the network layer, processing IP packets that traverse the switch fabric, making them particularly susceptible to this type of attack vector.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits weaknesses in the switch's network protocol handling capabilities. When a remote attacker crafts and sends a specially malformed IP packet to the target switch, the device's processing engine encounters unexpected packet structures that it cannot properly parse or handle. This leads to a system crash or complete service disruption, effectively rendering the switch inoperative and preventing legitimate network traffic from flowing through the device. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed from any location on the network where the attacker has access to send packets to the switch's IP address. The switch's failure mode typically manifests as immediate system instability or a complete restart of the network switch's operating system, as documented in various network security assessments from the early 2000s. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability aspect of the CIA triad, compromising the network infrastructure's ability to provide continuous service to authorized users.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-0764 extends beyond simple service disruption, potentially causing cascading failures throughout network infrastructure that relies on the affected switches. Organizations using Intel Express 500 series switches face significant risk of network outages that can affect business continuity and productivity, particularly in environments where these switches serve as core network components. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target these devices from outside the organization's network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for network administrators who may not have full visibility into all connected devices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1498 technique of Network Denial of Service, where adversaries leverage weaknesses in network infrastructure to disrupt service availability. The attack can be automated and executed repeatedly, allowing for sustained disruption of network services. Network administrators who fail to patch or mitigate this vulnerability may experience regular service interruptions that can be difficult to diagnose and resolve.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0764 require immediate attention from network administrators and security teams. The primary recommendation involves applying vendor-provided firmware updates or patches that address the malformed packet handling issue within the Intel Express 500 series switches. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of these vulnerable devices to untrusted networks. Network monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, including abnormal packet structures or repeated connection failures. From a defensive standpoint, implementing ingress and egress filtering can help prevent malformed packets from reaching vulnerable network switches, while also providing additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date network device firmware and following security best practices established by organizations such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Network administrators should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.