CVE-2008-3652 in ipsec-tools
Summary
by MITRE
src/racoon/handler.c in racoon in ipsec-tools does not remove an "orphaned ph1" (phase 1) handle when it has been initiated remotely, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (resource consumption).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3652 resides within the racoon implementation of ipsec-tools, specifically in the src/racoon/handler.c component. This issue manifests as a failure to properly clean up phase 1 (ph1) handles that are initiated remotely, creating what is termed an "orphaned ph1" condition. The root cause stems from inadequate resource management within the IPSec key exchange process, where the system fails to properly terminate or remove these handles when they are no longer needed or when the remote initiation process completes.
This flaw represents a classic resource leak scenario that operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-404, specifically categorized as improper resource cleanup or release. The vulnerability is particularly concerning within the context of network security infrastructure because it directly impacts the availability of the IPSec service through resource exhaustion. When remote attackers can repeatedly initiate phase 1 negotiations without proper cleanup, they can gradually consume system resources such as memory and file descriptors until the system becomes unresponsive or crashes entirely.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially compromise the entire IPSec infrastructure. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it an attractive target for malicious actors seeking to disrupt network communications. The resource consumption occurs at the protocol handling level where racoon manages the complex negotiation process between IPSec peers, and the orphaned handles can accumulate over time, leading to progressive degradation of system performance before complete service failure.
From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion. The attack can be executed through repeated remote phase 1 initiation attempts, where each attempt creates a new orphaned handle that remains in memory indefinitely. This behavior is particularly problematic in high-traffic environments where multiple connections are established and torn down regularly, as the accumulation of these orphaned handles can quickly overwhelm system resources and lead to complete service unavailability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary fix involves implementing proper handle cleanup mechanisms within the racoon codebase to ensure that all phase 1 handles are properly removed when they are no longer needed or when the remote initiation process concludes. System administrators should also implement connection rate limiting and monitoring to detect unusual patterns of handle accumulation. Additionally, regular system audits and resource monitoring should be conducted to identify potential resource leaks before they escalate to full denial of service conditions. The fix should be applied through official security patches or source code modifications that properly implement the cleanup logic for orphaned phase 1 handles while maintaining the integrity of the IPSec key exchange process.