CVE-2002-1463 in Raptor Firewall
Summary
by MITRE
Symantec Raptor Firewall 6.5 and 6.5.3, Enterprise Firewall 6.5.2 and 7.0, VelociRaptor Models 500/700/1000 and 1100/1200/1300, and Gateway Security 5110/5200/5300 generate easily predictable initial sequence numbers (ISN), which allows remote attackers to spoof connections.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1463 represents a critical weakness in several Symantec network security products including Raptor Firewall, Enterprise Firewall, VelociRaptor series, and Gateway Security appliances. This flaw specifically targets the TCP sequence number generation mechanism, which forms the foundation of TCP connection security and integrity verification. The vulnerability stems from the predictable nature of initial sequence numbers generated by these firewalls, creating a fundamental weakness in the protocol-level security controls they are designed to provide.
The technical flaw manifests in the implementation of TCP sequence number generation within the affected Symantec firewall products. When establishing TCP connections, these devices generate initial sequence numbers using algorithms that produce predictable patterns rather than utilizing cryptographically secure random number generation. This predictability allows remote attackers to calculate future sequence numbers and subsequently forge TCP packets to establish unauthorized connections or hijack existing sessions. The vulnerability affects multiple product versions including Raptor Firewall 6.5 and 6.5.3, Enterprise Firewall 6.5.2 and 7.0, VelociRaptor Models 500/700/1000 and 1100/1200/1300, and Gateway Security 5110/5200/5300. The flaw directly violates the principles outlined in CWE-330, which addresses the use of weak random number generators in security-critical applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers to perform TCP connection hijacking and spoofing attacks across the affected network infrastructure. An attacker who can predict the initial sequence numbers can successfully impersonate legitimate users or systems, potentially gaining unauthorized access to protected networks, intercepting sensitive communications, or disrupting services. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where these firewalls are deployed to protect critical infrastructure, as it undermines the fundamental security assumptions of TCP-based communications. The attack vector requires only remote access to observe or capture initial TCP handshake packets, making it relatively easy to exploit in practice.
The implications of this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol traffic shaping and manipulation. The predictable sequence numbers create opportunities for attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks, session hijacking, and other TCP-level manipulations that bypass traditional firewall protections. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of the affected Symantec products, implementing additional network monitoring to detect suspicious TCP sequence number patterns, and considering network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper random number generation in security implementations and serves as a reminder that even network infrastructure devices must adhere to cryptographic best practices to maintain their security effectiveness.