CVE-2004-1663 in Silkworm
Summary
by MITRE
Engenio/LSI Logic storage controllers, as used in products such as Storagetek D280, and IBM DS4100 (formerly FastT 100) and Brocade SilkWorm Switches, allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (freeze and possible data corruption) via crafted TCP packets.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1663 affects storage controllers manufactured by Engenio and LSI Logic, specifically impacting enterprise storage systems including Storagetek D280, IBM DS4100 (formerly FastT 100), and Brocade SilkWorm Switches. This flaw represents a critical security weakness in networked storage infrastructure that enables remote attackers to disrupt system operations through carefully constructed TCP packets. The vulnerability operates at the network protocol level, exploiting weaknesses in how these storage controllers process incoming network traffic, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where storage availability is paramount.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the storage controller's TCP packet processing mechanisms. When these devices receive malformed or specially crafted TCP packets, they fail to properly validate the packet structure and content, leading to system instability. The flaw manifests as system freezing or complete system lockup, with potential for data corruption during the crash conditions. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and CWE-248, which covers exposure of an exception to the calling program. The root cause lies in the controllers' inability to gracefully handle unexpected network traffic patterns, resulting in uncontrolled system state transitions that ultimately lead to denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-1663 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire storage infrastructures. In enterprise environments, these storage controllers typically serve as critical components for data persistence and system availability, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to cause business disruption. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter, eliminating the need for physical access or insider knowledge. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the T1499 category of Network Denial of Service, where attackers leverage network protocols to exhaust system resources or trigger system failures. The potential for data corruption adds another layer of concern, as storage system crashes during active data operations can result in data loss or inconsistent storage states that require extensive recovery procedures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require both immediate and long-term approaches to address the underlying security weaknesses. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of these storage controllers to untrusted networks, while also applying firmware updates from the vendors when available to address the specific TCP packet handling flaws. Network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous TCP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, and intrusion detection systems can be configured to alert on suspicious packet structures targeting storage protocols. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure network protocol implementation in storage systems and reinforces the need for comprehensive security testing of network-facing components. Additionally, implementing network access control lists and firewalls to restrict TCP port access to only authorized management systems can significantly reduce the attack surface, while regular security assessments of storage infrastructure help identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.