CVE-2004-2001 in IRIX
Summary
by MITRE
ifconfig "-arp" in SGI IRIX 6.5 through 6.5.22m does not properly disable ARP requests from being sent or received.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2001 affects SGI IRIX operating systems version 6.5 through 6.5.22m and specifically relates to the ifconfig command's handling of the -arp option. This flaw represents a significant network security weakness that impacts the fundamental address resolution protocol functionality within the operating system. The issue stems from improper implementation of ARP request handling, creating potential exposure points that could be exploited by malicious actors within the network environment. The vulnerability exists in the kernel-level network stack implementation where the arp option fails to correctly disable both sending and receiving of ARP requests, leaving systems susceptible to various network-based attacks.
The technical flaw manifests when administrators attempt to disable ARP functionality using the ifconfig command with the -arp flag. In properly functioning systems, this command should completely disable ARP request transmission and reception, effectively isolating network interfaces from address resolution protocols. However, the implementation in affected IRIX versions fails to properly disable both directions of ARP communication, allowing ARP requests to continue being sent or received even when explicitly disabled. This partial disabling creates a security gap that can be leveraged by attackers to perform network reconnaissance, manipulate address resolution tables, or conduct various forms of network disruption attacks. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-119 which describes weaknesses in memory handling, though in this case it relates more specifically to improper network protocol handling and configuration management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network configuration issues, as it fundamentally undermines network security posture and can lead to serious consequences in enterprise environments. Systems running affected IRIX versions may experience unauthorized network access, address resolution table manipulation, or potential network disruption attacks that could affect service availability. Network administrators who rely on the -arp functionality for security isolation or network segmentation may find their protection mechanisms ineffective, creating potential attack vectors for lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where network security relies on proper ARP handling for isolation between network segments, as it effectively neutralizes these security controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2001 should focus on immediate system updates and alternative network security approaches. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to patched versions of SGI IRIX operating systems, as this vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases through proper implementation of ARP request handling. Organizations should also implement network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous ARP activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Alternative security measures include implementing proper network segmentation using firewalls or network access control lists to prevent unauthorized ARP activity, and deploying network intrusion detection systems that can identify unusual ARP traffic patterns. Additionally, administrators should avoid relying solely on the ifconfig -arp option for network security controls and instead implement more robust security mechanisms such as port security features or network access control protocols that provide comprehensive protection against ARP-based attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper protocol implementation and configuration management in maintaining network security boundaries, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1046 which covers network service scanning and T1562 which addresses defenses against network protocol manipulation.