CVE-2002-2354 in FM114P
Summary
by MITRE
Netgear FM114P firmware 1.3 wireless firewall allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash or hang) via a large number of TCP connection requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2024
The CVE-2002-2354 vulnerability affects the Netgear FM114P wireless firewall device running firmware version 1.3, representing a critical denial of service weakness that can be exploited remotely by attackers. This vulnerability specifically targets the device's handling of TCP connection requests, where an attacker can overwhelm the firewall's processing capabilities by sending an excessive number of connection requests. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and resource management within the firewall's network processing stack, which fails to properly handle abnormal connection traffic patterns. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-400 as an Uncontrolled Resource Consumption issue, where the device's resources become exhausted through malformed or excessive network traffic, leading to system instability and service disruption. This weakness directly impacts the firewall's ability to maintain network connectivity and security services, as the device becomes unresponsive and potentially crashes during sustained attack conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the firewall's TCP connection handling mechanism without proper rate limiting or connection tracking controls. When the FM114P receives a large volume of TCP connection requests, the device's processing capacity becomes overwhelmed, causing the system to either crash or enter a hung state where it ceases to respond to legitimate network traffic. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication or specialized privileges, making it accessible to any remote attacker with network access to the device. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where the firewall fails to implement adequate resource management policies to prevent connection exhaustion attacks. This weakness creates a scenario where legitimate network users experience complete service disruption while the device remains unavailable for its intended security functions.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-2354 extends beyond simple service interruption, as it compromises the fundamental security posture of networks relying on the affected firewall. Organizations using the Netgear FM114P in production environments face significant risk of unauthorized network access during the device downtime, as the firewall becomes unable to enforce security policies or filter malicious traffic. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack methods including SYN flood attacks or connection exhaustion techniques that are commonly used in distributed denial of service campaigns. Network administrators may experience difficulty in diagnosing the root cause of service outages, as the device behavior appears as a complete system failure rather than a specific configuration issue. The attack can be sustained over extended periods, potentially causing prolonged network disruption and requiring manual intervention to restore normal operations. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of availability in the CIA triad and creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks to be launched against compromised networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-2354 should focus on both immediate protective measures and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate critical systems from potentially compromised firewalls, while also deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for abnormal TCP connection patterns. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to firmware versions that address the resource management issues, as Netgear likely released patches to correct the underlying flaw. Network administrators should consider implementing connection rate limiting and TCP connection tracking mechanisms to prevent any single source from overwhelming the device's processing capabilities. Additionally, implementing redundant firewall solutions and establishing automated failover procedures can help maintain network security during potential attack scenarios. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular firmware updates and proper security testing of network infrastructure devices, as outlined in industry best practices for maintaining secure network operations. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control measures to limit exposure to potential attackers and reduce the attack surface for such vulnerabilities.