CVE-2007-3711 in Tippingpoint Ips Tos
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in TOS 2.1.x, 2.2.x before 2.2.5, and 2.5.x before 2.5.2 on TippingPoint IPS allows remote attackers to avoid detection by sending certain fragmented packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3711 represents a significant weakness in network intrusion prevention systems, specifically within the TippingPoint IPS platform running TOS versions 2.1.x through 2.2.4 and 2.5.x through 2.5.1. This flaw exists in the packet fragmentation handling mechanism of the intrusion prevention system, creating a critical bypass opportunity for attackers seeking to evade network security monitoring. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability indicates a fundamental design or implementation issue within the IPS processing pipeline that affects how fragmented network packets are analyzed and matched against security policies.
The technical flaw manifests in the manner by which the TippingPoint IPS system processes fragmented IP packets, allowing malicious actors to craft specific packet sequences that will not be properly inspected or detected by the intrusion prevention engine. This vulnerability operates at the network protocol level, specifically targeting the Internet Protocol fragmentation handling capabilities that are essential for proper network communication and security monitoring. The issue stems from inadequate validation or processing of fragmented packets within the IPS detection logic, enabling attackers to exploit gaps in the packet reassembly and inspection process. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability would likely map to CWE-129 or CWE-128, representing issues related to improper handling of input data that could lead to bypass conditions in security systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple detection evasion, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of networks protected by TippingPoint IPS appliances. Attackers can leverage this weakness to bypass security controls that would normally detect malicious traffic patterns, potentially allowing malware delivery, command and control communications, or other nefarious activities to proceed undetected. The vulnerability affects network monitoring and protection capabilities across various TippingPoint hardware platforms, creating a persistent threat vector that remains active until properly patched. Organizations relying on these systems for network security face significant risk of undetected compromise, as the vulnerability operates at a layer below application-level detection mechanisms and directly impacts the core IPS functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3711 require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided patches and firmware updates that address the packet fragmentation handling issue. Network administrators should prioritize upgrading TippingPoint IPS systems to versions 2.2.5 or 2.5.2 and later, as these releases contain the necessary code modifications to properly handle fragmented packets. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation to limit the attack surface, deploying complementary security monitoring tools that operate at different protocol layers, and establishing enhanced network traffic inspection procedures. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol and T1566.001 for spearphishing attachments, as it enables attackers to bypass network security controls that would otherwise prevent the delivery of malicious payloads through fragmented network traffic. Organizations should also consider implementing network behavior analysis tools that can detect anomalous packet patterns indicative of exploitation attempts, as traditional signature-based detection may be insufficient against this type of evasion.