CVE-2010-3611 in DHCP
Summary
by MITRE
ISC DHCP server 4.0 before 4.0.2, 4.1 before 4.1.2, and 4.2 before 4.2.0-P1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and crash) via a DHCPv6 packet containing a Relay-Forward message without an address in the Relay-Forward link-address field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2024
The ISC DHCP server vulnerability CVE-2010-3611 represents a critical denial of service flaw affecting versions 4.0 before 4.0.2, 4.1 before 4.1.2, and 4.2 before 4.2.0-P1. This vulnerability specifically targets the DHCPv6 protocol implementation within the server software, creating a condition where a remote attacker can trigger a system crash through carefully crafted malicious packets. The flaw manifests when the server receives a DHCPv6 Relay-Forward message that lacks a proper address in the link-address field, causing the software to attempt to dereference a null pointer during packet processing. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, which is a common software weakness that can lead to system instability and service disruption. The vulnerability operates at the network protocol level and demonstrates how improper input validation in network services can create exploitable conditions that affect system availability.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves the server's handling of DHCPv6 Relay-Forward messages, which are used to forward DHCPv6 packets between relay agents and servers in network infrastructures. When a malformed packet arrives with a missing link-address field, the ISC DHCP server fails to properly validate the packet structure before attempting to process it. This leads to a situation where the software attempts to access memory locations that have not been properly initialized, resulting in a segmentation fault or null pointer dereference that causes the process to terminate abruptly. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or special privileges, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to disrupt network services. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as this type of crash can potentially affect network infrastructure reliability and may be used as part of larger attack campaigns targeting network availability.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations relying on ISC DHCP servers for network infrastructure management. The denial of service condition can disrupt network connectivity for all clients relying on DHCP for IP address assignment, potentially affecting hundreds or thousands of devices depending on the network scale. Network administrators may experience extended downtime while troubleshooting the issue, and the automatic restart of the DHCP service may temporarily disrupt ongoing network operations. The vulnerability's exploitation can be automated and does not require specialized knowledge, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where network availability is critical. Organizations using affected versions of ISC DHCP server are at risk of experiencing service interruptions that can cascade into broader network issues, especially in environments where DHCP servers are central to network operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3611 primarily focus on upgrading to patched versions of the ISC DHCP server software, specifically versions 4.0.2, 4.1.2, and 4.2.0-P1 respectively. Organizations should implement network monitoring solutions to detect unusual DHCPv6 traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, as well as configure firewall rules to restrict DHCPv6 traffic from untrusted sources. The implementation of intrusion detection systems can help identify and alert on malformed DHCPv6 packets that match the vulnerability characteristics. Additionally, network segmentation strategies can limit the impact of potential exploitation by isolating DHCP services from critical network segments. Security teams should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected systems. Organizations may also benefit from conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potential weaknesses in their network infrastructure that could be exploited alongside or as a result of this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the T1499 category of Network Denial of Service, highlighting the importance of implementing robust network security controls to prevent exploitation of such service disruption vulnerabilities.