CVE-2006-2054 in 3C16486
Summary
by MITRE
3Com Baseline Switch 2848-SFP Plus Model #3C16486 with firmware before 1.0.2.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (unstable operation) via long DHCP packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2054 affects the 3Com Baseline Switch 2848-SFP Plus model #3C16486 which operates with firmware versions prior to 1.0.2.0. This issue represents a classic denial of service vulnerability that exploits the switch's handling of dynamic host configuration protocol packets. The flaw manifests when the switch receives DHCP packets that exceed normal length parameters, causing the device to enter an unstable operational state. This vulnerability resides within the network infrastructure equipment's packet processing mechanisms, specifically targeting the switch's ability to properly parse and handle DHCP communications that exceed expected boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves sending malformed or unusually long DHCP packets to the affected switch. These packets trigger buffer overflow conditions or memory management issues within the switch's firmware, leading to system instability and potential complete service disruption. The switch's DHCP client implementation lacks proper input validation and boundary checking for packet lengths, creating a condition where oversized packets can cause memory corruption or resource exhaustion. This behavior aligns with CWE-122, which describes buffer overflow vulnerabilities that occur when insufficient bounds checking is performed on buffer operations. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where the firmware does not adequately sanitize incoming network traffic before processing it.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for network availability and business continuity. When exploited, the affected switch enters an unstable state where normal network operations become disrupted, potentially affecting multiple network segments connected through the device. Network administrators may experience complete loss of switch functionality requiring manual intervention to restore normal operations. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means attackers can trigger the denial of service condition from external network positions without requiring physical access to the device. This characteristic places the vulnerability within ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which describes network denial of service attacks that target network infrastructure devices. The instability caused by this vulnerability can result in cascading failures throughout the network, as other devices may not properly handle the loss of connectivity to the compromised switch.
The recommended mitigation strategies include immediate firmware upgrades to version 1.0.2.0 or later, which contain patches addressing the DHCP packet handling flaws. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable switches to untrusted network segments. Monitoring for unusual DHCP traffic patterns and implementing rate limiting on DHCP packet processing can provide additional defensive layers. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular firmware updates for network infrastructure equipment and demonstrates how seemingly minor protocol handling issues can lead to significant operational disruptions. Organizations should establish robust patch management procedures specifically targeting network infrastructure devices to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.