CVE-2006-2223 in Quagga Routing Software Suite
Summary
by MITRE
RIPd in Quagga 0.98 and 0.99 before 20060503 does not properly implement configurations that (1) disable RIPv1 or (2) require plaintext or MD5 authentication, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information (routing state) via REQUEST packets such as SEND UPDATE.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-2223 affects RIPd, the Routing Information Protocol daemon component of Quagga routing software version 0.98 and 0.99 prior to the 20060503 release. This represents a critical security flaw in network infrastructure software that governs how routing information is exchanged between network devices. The vulnerability specifically targets the implementation of security configurations within the RIP protocol, which is a fundamental routing protocol used in many enterprise and service provider networks. The issue manifests when administrators attempt to disable RIPv1 or enforce authentication mechanisms, yet the software fails to properly enforce these security policies, creating a significant attack surface.
The technical flaw stems from improper configuration handling within the RIPd daemon where the software does not correctly validate or enforce security parameters set by network administrators. When RIPv1 is supposed to be disabled or when plaintext or MD5 authentication requirements are configured, the system fails to properly process these settings. This misimplementation allows remote attackers to exploit the protocol by sending specially crafted REQUEST packets, particularly SEND UPDATE messages that contain routing state information. The vulnerability operates at the network protocol level and demonstrates a clear failure in input validation and configuration enforcement mechanisms. The flaw aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and CWE-310, relating to cryptographic issues in protocol implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it enables remote attackers to obtain sensitive routing information without proper authentication or authorization. This access to routing state data can provide attackers with detailed knowledge of network topology, including IP address ranges, network paths, and device configurations. Such information is invaluable for conducting more sophisticated attacks including man-in-the-middle attacks, network reconnaissance, and potential disruption of network services. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of network routing information, which forms the backbone of network communication. Attackers can leverage this information to map network structures, identify critical infrastructure, and plan further attacks, making this a significant concern for network security posture.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Quagga installations to the corrected version released after 20060503. Network administrators should also implement additional security measures including network segmentation, access control lists, and monitoring of routing protocol traffic to detect anomalous behavior. The implementation of proper authentication mechanisms, even if the vulnerability exists, can provide some protection against unauthorized access to routing information. Organizations should conduct comprehensive network audits to identify all affected systems and ensure that routing protocol configurations are properly enforced. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security testing and validation of protocol implementations, particularly in critical infrastructure software that handles sensitive network information and demonstrates the need for robust configuration management practices that align with security standards such as those recommended in the NIST cybersecurity framework.