CVE-2007-2242 in AirPort
Summary
by MITRE
The IPv6 protocol allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via crafted IPv6 type 0 route headers (IPV6_RTHDR_TYPE_0) that create network amplification between two routers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-2242 represents a critical flaw in the IPv6 protocol implementation that enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks through specifically crafted IPv6 type 0 route headers. This vulnerability operates at the network layer of the TCP/IP protocol suite and specifically targets the IPv6 routing header processing mechanisms that were introduced to support advanced routing capabilities in the next generation internet protocol. The flaw manifests when routers encounter malformed IPv6 type 0 route headers that trigger unexpected behavior during packet processing, creating conditions that can be exploited for network disruption.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the improper handling of IPv6 routing headers with type 0, which are designed to provide routing information for packets traversing IPv6 networks. When routers process these headers, they can be induced to forward packets in ways that create amplification effects, where a small number of malicious packets can generate a disproportionately large number of responses or forwarding operations. This creates a scenario where network resources become consumed rapidly, leading to performance degradation or complete service unavailability. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the router level and can be exploited without requiring authentication or specific privileges, making it accessible to any remote attacker with network connectivity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass significant network reliability issues that can affect entire routing domains. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause routers to become overwhelmed with processing tasks, leading to increased latency, packet loss, and potential complete routing failures. The network amplification aspect means that attackers can generate substantial traffic volumes relative to their initial attack footprint, making detection and mitigation more challenging. This type of vulnerability directly violates the fundamental principle of network stability and reliability that IPv6 was designed to provide, as it undermines the basic assumption that properly formed routing headers should not cause system instability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2242 typically involve implementing strict validation of IPv6 routing headers at network boundaries and within router configurations. Network administrators should configure routers to reject or drop packets containing malformed IPv6 type 0 route headers, effectively preventing the exploitation vector. Additionally, implementing rate limiting and traffic monitoring can help detect anomalous routing header usage patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input data, and can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1498, which covers network denial of service attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing IPv6-specific security policies and regularly updating their network infrastructure to address known vulnerabilities in routing protocol implementations. The remediation process requires careful network planning to ensure that legitimate routing header usage is not disrupted while effectively blocking malicious exploitation attempts.