CVE-2000-1201 in Firewall-1
Summary
by MITRE
Check Point FireWall-1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (high CPU) via a flood of packets to port 264.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-1201 affects Check Point FireWall-1, a widely deployed network security appliance that serves as a critical gateway for enterprise network protection. This specific flaw represents a denial of service vulnerability that can be exploited remotely by attackers who flood the system with packets directed at port 264. The affected system experiences significant performance degradation characterized by sustained high cpu utilization, effectively rendering the firewall unable to process legitimate network traffic. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication or specialized privileges, making it accessible to any remote attacker with basic network connectivity to the target system. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability aspect of the CIA triad, compromising the network security infrastructure's ability to maintain consistent service delivery.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of packet flooding attacks within the FireWall-1 software implementation. When the system receives a high volume of packets targeting port 264, the firewall engine becomes overwhelmed with processing tasks that consume excessive cpu resources. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and resource management within the packet processing routines, particularly in how the system handles malformed or excessive packet streams. This flaw represents a classic example of a resource exhaustion attack where the attacker leverages the firewall's normal packet processing capabilities to consume system resources beyond acceptable thresholds. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which catalogs weaknesses related to resource management and denial of service conditions, specifically addressing improper resource cleanup and excessive resource consumption patterns.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-1201 extends far beyond simple service disruption, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of networks relying on Check Point FireWall-1 for protection. Organizations experiencing this attack face potential complete network outages, as the firewall becomes incapable of performing its essential routing and filtering functions. The high cpu utilization can cascade into other system components, potentially affecting backup systems or failover mechanisms that depend on the primary firewall's responsiveness. Network administrators may experience difficulty in diagnosing the issue, as the symptoms appear as normal system load rather than malicious activity, making detection challenging. This vulnerability also impacts the organization's ability to maintain compliance with security standards and regulatory requirements that mandate continuous availability of security controls. The attack can be particularly devastating in mission-critical environments where network availability is paramount for business operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should implement rate limiting and packet filtering rules to restrict traffic to port 264, effectively blocking the attack vectors that trigger the vulnerability. Network administrators should deploy intrusion detection systems capable of identifying and alerting on abnormal packet flooding patterns targeting the affected port. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to newer versions of Check Point FireWall-1 software that contain patches addressing the specific resource management flaws. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and redundant security appliances can provide alternative pathways for traffic when the primary firewall becomes compromised. Security teams should also consider implementing automated monitoring and response protocols that can detect high cpu utilization patterns and automatically initiate mitigation procedures. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and following security best practices outlined in frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, which emphasizes continuous monitoring and timely patch management as critical defensive controls.