CVE-2007-0066 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The kernel in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2, and Server 2003, when ICMP Router Discovery Protocol (RDP) is enabled, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via fragmented router advertisement ICMP packets that trigger an out-of-bounds read, aka "Windows Kernel TCP/IP/ICMP Vulnerability."
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-0066 represents a critical flaw in the Windows kernel's handling of ICMP router advertisement packets, specifically when the ICMP Router Discovery Protocol is enabled. This issue affects Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, Windows XP Service Pack 2, and Windows Server 2003, all of which are operating systems that were widely deployed in enterprise environments during the mid-2000s. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of fragmented ICMP packets, creating a condition where the kernel's network stack fails to properly bounds-check data structures when processing these specific packet types. The flaw manifests when the system receives specially crafted fragmented router advertisement ICMP packets that trigger an out-of-bounds memory read operation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the kernel's TCP/IP protocol stack failing to validate the boundaries of memory regions when processing fragmented ICMP router advertisement messages. When the system receives these malformed packets, the kernel's ICMP processing routine attempts to read data from memory locations that extend beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This out-of-bounds read condition can cause the kernel to access invalid memory addresses, leading to system instability and ultimately resulting in a denial of service condition that crashes the affected Windows system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it a prime target for automated attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, as it provides attackers with a reliable method for causing persistent service disruption across affected networks. Organizations running these vulnerable systems face significant risk of denial of service attacks that can impact critical business operations, particularly in environments where network availability is paramount. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems from outside the local network perimeter, potentially affecting systems that are not directly exposed to the internet but are part of larger network infrastructures. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where multiple systems may be interconnected and vulnerable to cascading failures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include applying the appropriate Microsoft security patches that address the kernel's ICMP processing routines and implementing network-level controls to filter or block suspicious ICMP traffic. Organizations should disable ICMP Router Discovery Protocol on systems where it is not required, as this eliminates the attack surface entirely. Network administrators should also implement intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on anomalous ICMP packet patterns, particularly fragmented router advertisement messages. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation in kernel space can lead to privilege escalation and system compromise. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service attacks, demonstrating how attackers can leverage system-level flaws to disrupt availability services.