CVE-2004-0790 in Junos
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple TCP/IP and ICMP implementations allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (reset TCP connections) via spoofed ICMP error messages, aka the "blind connection-reset attack." NOTE: CVE-2004-0790, CVE-2004-0791, and CVE-2004-1060 have been SPLIT based on different attacks; CVE-2005-0065, CVE-2005-0066, CVE-2005-0067, and CVE-2005-0068 are related identifiers that are SPLIT based on the underlying vulnerability. While CVE normally SPLITs based on vulnerability, the attack-based identifiers exist due to the variety and number of affected implementations and solutions that address the attacks instead of the underlying vulnerabilities.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-0790 represents a significant weakness in TCP/IP and ICMP protocol implementations that enables remote attackers to perform denial of service attacks through the manipulation of network traffic. This flaw specifically targets the way network devices handle ICMP error messages, creating a scenario where attackers can exploit the trust relationship between network protocols to disrupt legitimate TCP connections. The vulnerability stems from the fundamental assumption that ICMP error messages originate from legitimate sources, without proper validation of their authenticity or source legitimacy. This attack vector operates by crafting and sending spoofed ICMP error messages that appear to come from trusted network sources, thereby tricking TCP implementations into resetting active connections without proper verification mechanisms.
The technical execution of this blind connection-reset attack relies on the inherent design characteristics of the Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Control Message Protocol working in conjunction. When a TCP implementation receives an ICMP error message, it typically processes this information to determine whether to reset or terminate connections, often without validating the source address of the ICMP message. This lack of source address validation creates an opportunity for attackers to forge ICMP error messages that target specific TCP connections, causing the receiving system to believe that the connection should be terminated based on the spoofed error information. The vulnerability manifests across multiple implementations of TCP/IP stacks, making it particularly dangerous as it affects various operating systems and network equipment vendors. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, specifically in the context of network protocol handling where source address validation is insufficient.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-0790 extends beyond simple service disruption, creating cascading effects that can severely impact network reliability and availability. When attackers successfully execute this attack, they can cause legitimate TCP connections to be reset, leading to service interruptions for applications that depend on persistent connections such as web servers, database connections, and email services. The attack's blind nature means that targets cannot easily distinguish between legitimate ICMP error messages and spoofed ones, making defense mechanisms difficult to implement. Network administrators may experience increased connection failures, application timeouts, and degraded service performance without clear indicators of the attack source. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of TCP implementations, as it undermines the reliability of connection state management and error recovery mechanisms that are fundamental to TCP's operation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require implementing robust source address validation mechanisms and strengthening ICMP error message processing within TCP implementations. Network administrators should consider deploying ingress filtering to prevent spoofed ICMP messages from entering their networks, while system administrators need to ensure their TCP/IP stacks properly validate ICMP message sources before acting upon them. The implementation of proper TCP connection reset protection mechanisms, such as connection tracking with source address verification, can significantly reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect unusual patterns of ICMP error messages and connection resets. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability relates to T1498: Network Denial of Service, specifically targeting the network infrastructure layer where protocol implementations are compromised. The vulnerability's widespread nature across different implementations means that mitigation efforts must be comprehensive and consider all affected network components, including firewalls, routers, and end-user systems. Regular updates and patches to TCP/IP stack implementations, along with proper network security configuration, form the primary defense against this type of attack vector.